On May 6, 2010, there were General Elections in the UK and Phil (Philip James) Woolas (Labour MP- Oldham East and Saddleworth), Greater Manchester stood for re-election and won.
However, on May 28, 2010, Woolas’s Liberal Democrat opponent, Elwyn Watkins issued an election petition against the result under section 106 of the Representation of the People Act 1983, which “makes it illegal for any person to publish any false statement of fact in relation to the candidate’s personal character or conduct, unless he or she can show that he had reasonable grounds for believing that statement to be true.”
Watkins claimed that Woolas issued out leaflets which falsely portrayed him, Watkins, as taking foreign donations and linked him to Islamist extremists. On November 5, 2010, the court ruled that Woolas had violated the Presentation of People Act 1983, removed him as MP and ordered a fresh election Oldham East and Saddleworth. The Labour Party suspended Woolas.
Woolas did not give in and applied for judicial reviews but lost and on January 11, 2011, a bye-election was conducted and Labour candidate, Debbie Abraham defeated Elwyn Watkins to win the seat.
Woolas committed a prima facie breach of criminal law, but in March 2011 the Crown Persecution Service announced that it would not bring criminal charges against him as the Election Court already disqualified him from holding elected office and that was sufficient punishment.
In places like the UK, laws are meant to be obeyed, but in Ghana, they are meant to be broken. Every day, hordes of political wild dogs would attack and tear apart opponents, within and without their parties, by spreading falsehood.
Unfortunately, some journalists also use their profession to spread falsehood, destroying innocent people’s reputation and come out boldly to say it is for the good of the ordinary Ghanaian.
We live in a country, where even though we consider ourselves as a wise and knowledgeable nation, we easily fall for sensationalism and volunteer to be used as conduits to further destroy innocent people.
When such journalists are dragged to court for libel, the whole of the inky professionals will scream to the UN that journalism is being gagged in Ghana. They would not talk about their abuses of people’s rights and reputations.
In Ghana, there is Anas Amereyaw Anas, who rose to fame by inducing people to commit crimes or seen to be committing crimes and then come to publish the story, in his ‘Name and Shame’ series. He succeeds in driving honest and innocent people into shame and disgrace with some even getting dismissed from work.
Without proper investigations, Chief Justice Georgina Wood dismissed good judges from the bench. Even his own Attorney General, Gloria Akuffo and NDC’s Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong both seasoned lawyers openly said what Anas put up, cannot have a day in court.
On the political scene, our politicians would attack their opponents and bring them down so that people will reject them. This happens both inter and intra. And the results could lead to the incitement of the public which could lead to unrest.
Ghana may be on the path to social, political and ethnic conflicts in the way, Asantes are always attacked for doing nothing wrong. The Dormahene, Osagyefo Agyemang-Badu has been bastardising the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and Asanteman with lies about history which are always challenged by academic and traditional historians, yet no government before and now, could caution him.
The Ga Mantse King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, humbly suggested that the Ga word of welcome, Oobake, should be placed on state or public edifices. The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Hon. Linda Ocloo in support, added that Gas must be respected in Accra. Immediately, some Gas took to attacking Akwaaba an Akan word of welcome and Asantes were on the receiving end with one Henrieta Laryea coming out to say they are foolish people and Twi will be eradicated from Accra. Of course, the current Asante youths descended wildly on Gas. This could lead to ethnic conflicts and yet government watched on.
With all these things going on I write to agree with and support H.E. John Dramani Mahama when he told Ghanaians during his first Meet-the-Press, that anyone who creates sensationalism and spread falsehood, which could incite the public will be dealt with.
I only pray that no-one is spared. H.E. John Dramani Mahama should not be seen to protect his family and NDC members, but truly treat all Ghanaians fairly under this law. When his family member or an NDC member violates this law, he must chastise that wrong doer, for God chastises those He loves (Hebrews 12:6).
A good one Mr. President, and please let this work and the Woolases in our society will be very cautious. We need a ‘Woolas’ law in Ghana for it is about time politicians, journalists and all Ghanaians respect the rights of others.
Hon Daniel Dugan
Editor’s note: Views expressed in this article do not represent that of The Chronicle
