Lawyer Isaac Minta Larbi, Chairman of the Eastern Region Legal Team of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) believes that the conspicuous silence of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) in the face of several human rights violations committed by the police is deafening but not surprising.
According to him, it is very unfortunate that the once vibrant GBA has been silent over such serious breaches of human rights by the Ghana Police Service.
His comment was in reaction to the recent arrests and brutalities against innocent citizens at the “Occupy Julorbi House Demonstration.”
The long absence of any statement or condemnation from the GBA has raised eyebrows among many who expected the association to swiftly address these troubling incidents.
Lawyer Minta Larbi notes that, at a time when the protection of citizens’ rights is paramount, the GBA’s reticence has left citizens wondering about its true mission and commitment to justice.
“This is an institution of lawyers and lawyers are the defense of people’s rights so it becomes unacceptable that the GBA which is the mouthpiece of lawyers would be quiet over such an issue,” he stated.
While some argue that the GBA’s silence is unsurprising, attributing it to a perceived alignment with the current government, others express concerns that the association’s impartiality may be compromised.
He point to recent events, including the GBA’s conference in Cape Coast, where political some figures utilized the platform to launch political attacks. This has led to doubts about the GBA’s willingness to speak out against alleged misconduct.
He added that “in 2024 Ghanaians will take back their country from the NPP whether they like it or not and return the Great NDC to power. When that happens we expect the GBA to continue sleeping.”
Below is his full statement;
THE SILENCE OF THE GHANA BAR ASSOCIATION IS DEAFENING BUT NOT SURPRISING.
It is unfortunate the GBA has been silent over such serious breaches of human rights by the police.
At a time like this the GBA should have been the first to issue a statement condemning the conduct of the police.
However its over 4 days since these unlawful arrests and brutalities against innocent citizens but not a word from the GBA.
Sometimes you wonder what the GBA is really about.
This is an institution of lawyers and lawyers are the defense of people’s rights so it becomes unacceptable that the GBA which is the mouthpiece of lawyers would be quiet over such an issue.
However, it is not surprising because many have said that the GBA always go to sleep when NPP is in power and that is exactly what seems to be playing itself over and over again.
Should the GBA wake up and begin to talk on national issues when NDC is in power it would definitely confirm the suspicions of everyone.
In any case we wait to see whether the GBA would refuse to sleep when NDC takes power in 2024.
If one looks at how the GBA at its recent Bar conference at Cape Coast allowed President Akuffo Addo and the Attorney General Mr Godfred Yeboah Dame to do politics using the platform provided by the GBA to attack incoming President John Mahama, one would understand why the GBA is deafening silent on such brutalities on innocent citizens.
Since it is no longer surprising Ghanaians would have to advise themselves.
Ghanaians need to gird their loins going into elections 2024 because it seems some policemen have been readied for such arbitrary arrests, detentions, and abuse of power in an attempt to silence everyone but they would not succeed.
In 2024 Ghanaians will take back their country from the NPP whether they like it or not and return the Great NDC to power.
When that happens we expect the GBA to continue sleeping.
Lawyer Isaac Minta Larbi
Chairman,
Eastern Legal Team, NDC.
22/09/2023
