Sir John Never Meant To Disrespect Or Ridicule The Court

The National Youth Wing of the New Patriotic Party wishes to add its voice to the various pleas by individuals and civil society groups for the Supreme Court Justices to be compassionate ahead of the hearing of contempt charges. The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, popularly known as Sir John and our Youth Activist, Hopeson Adornye are said to have defied and lowered the authority of the Court. They are also said to have scandalized the Court and should come and explain why they should not be committed to Prison. While we recognize and accept the efforts by the Supreme Court to assert its authority in the dispensation of justice, we are also of the view that all stakeholders may reconsider the timing against the background of a clarion call for peace across the country. It is worthy of note that in spite of the �contemptuous statements� Sir John is purported to have made, he is the only General Secretary who took it as a personal responsibility to caution and sensitize communicators and the rank and file of the Party on the �Dos and Don�ts� as far as the ongoing election petition hearing at the Supreme Court is concerned. He impressed upon them to be decorous and circumspect in their comments, a responsibility conveniently shirked by the NCCE and other Constitutional bodies. This noble act, in itself, should not go unnoticed and must be brought to bear to remind indeed all Ghanaians, the real personality and the good intentions of our General Secretary and ourselves. It is important to appreciate the fact that he was expressing the sentiments and frustrations of the regular members of the Party. He therefore, did not mean to disrespect, or ridicule the court. We can only plead with our Supreme Court Justices to temper justice with mercy. Signed: Emmanuel Attafuah-Danso National Youth Organizer, NPP. Mobile: 0208231667