A former Director of the Ghana School of Law, Dr. Kwaku Ansa-Asare, has called for greater discretion and fairness in the treatment of protesters in the country. Speaking on Morning Starr with Naa Dedei Tettey, he questioned the necessity of detaining peaceful protesters who had not caused harm, stressing that their constitutional right to protest should be protected.
“If protesters haven’t caused harm, why detain them overnight?” he quizzed.
Dr. Ansa-Asare expressed concern that some arrests seemed to target those merely exercising their right to free expression.
He pointed out that while the law must be enforced, it should also distinguish between harmful actions and peaceful demonstrations.
“The constitution guarantees our freedoms, and it’s critical we uphold them,” he said.
Dr. Ansa-Asare also raised concerns about the Attorney General’s role in directing prosecutions, especially with their office located near the judiciary.
“I’ve spoken out against this arrangement before,” he recalled. “How can we ensure fairness when the prosecutor’s office is so closely tied to the judiciary?”
He further called for a more balanced approach where law enforcement exercises discretion, ensuring that the law isn’t applied selectively or used to punish peaceful protesters.
“We must be mindful of our actions,” he added.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Mary Mensah
