Ghana Negates Justice

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30313, 13 December 1963, Page 17

Ghana Negates Justice

(N.Z. Press Association— Copyright)

LONDON, December 12.

The news that President Kwame Nkrumah has revoked the appointment of Sir Arku Korsah as Ghana’s Chief Justice evoked severe criticism in today’s British newspapers. Sir Arku Korsah was president of the Special Court which two days ago acquitted three of the defendants in Ghana’s treason trial.

The official statement announcing Sir Arku Korsah’s dismissal yesterday gave no reason for the action. "The Times” claimed that individual liberty no longer exists in Ghana. “President Nkrumah’s decision to dismiss the Chief Justice shows just how courageous a judge must be in Ghana to administer impartial justice. “Even when he does, at such a cost as dismissal, that is not the end of the matter. The acquitted men are still being held in custody,” “The Times” said. The newspaper’s leading article continued:

Erosion of Rights “Individual liberty no longer exists in Ghana. “For Ghanaian citizens who, unlike potential investors,

have no choice about remaining in the country, the position is grim. i “Ghanaians are an Intelligent, well-educated, freedomloving people, many of whom must surely be dismayed at the continual erosion of basic human rights. “Potentially, Ghana remains strong—by African standards outstandingly strong—both in its economic and human resources.

“It is all the sadder that instead of developing the country’s potential and providing a better life for the Ghanaian people the present regime prefers to lower the country’s international standing and to interfere with basic human rights,” "The Times” added.

Enemy Ammunition The “Daily Herald” after saying that Sir Arku Korsah’s dismissal will give ammunition to every enemy of the new, independent, Africa, added: "Dr. Nkrumah clearly thinks the courts should be adjuncts of government—not independent bodies. That is also Dr. Verwoerd’s view in South Africa.

“He, too, ignores court verdicts which he does not like. So far he has not sacked the judges. “Surely the time has come for Dr. Nkrumah to take stock and ask himself just where he is leading his country.” Constitutional

The “Daily Express” commented: “Dr. Nkrumah can claim to be acting within the terms of the Ghana constitution. In that case it is a bad constitution. “It opens the door to a tyrannical man to impose his will on the people of Ghana and to set an evil example to other African rulers.

“Altogether, President Nkrumah is the worst possible advertisement for African nationalism."