President John Dramani Mahama has called on the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) to actively scrutinize and critique government policies.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by GBA President Efua Ghartey on Wednesday, March 26, Mahama emphasized the crucial role of civil society organizations in governance.
“You have been a strong advocate for the rule of law, respect for human rights, the constitution, and freedoms. I believe that the role you play is important for our society to progress.”
The President encouraged the GBA and other organizations to freely express concerns when governance strays from the right path.
“So, as I have told civil societies, they must have the freedom to point out when things are not going in a way they should. Just like we say in our local parlance, ‘if a person is charting a path, he may not know that it is crooked.’”
“It is only onlookers who can be able to point it out to him. So, we will appreciate whatever feedback you give, and I believe that is how government should be.”
Addressing concerns about his administration’s relationship with the judiciary, Mahama dismissed claims that his government is hostile towards legal institutions.
“On our side of the political divide, there is this perception that we have a problem with the legal fraternity. If you look at the kind of people in my government (including Marietta), we are not people who hold animosity against the judiciary and legal fraternity.”
