…From Celebrating Revolution Under State Sponsorship, Gives A-G Ten Days To File Statement Of Case
The Supreme Court has stopped the National Democratic Congress (NDC) from celebrating 31st December 1981 revolution under State sponsorship.
The Apex Court in a landmark case also asked the Attorney General (AG) to file a statement of case in the matter challenging the constitutionality of the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) continuous commemoration of the 31st December 1981 revolution, within ten (10) days.
The Court had reasoned along arguments made by the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the Plaintiff in that matter, that commemorating the 31st December 1981 coup with public funds was unjustified and unconstitutional since remembrance weakened the collective resolve of the people to defend the Constitution as enjoined the Constitution itself.
The annual commemorative event has thus since continued without State support.
Stephen Kwaku Asare, a Professor of Accounting at the Fisher School of Accounting has filed a case at the Supreme Court asking for a declaration that the annual commemorations unconstitutional since it overthrew the 1979 Constitution.
The Plaintiff has asked the Court to stop the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) from commemorating December 31.
This is the day in 1981 that the constitutionally-elected government of Dr. Hilla Limann was ousted in a coup led by Jerry John Rawlings.
Mr. Rawlings became Chairman of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) that governed the country till 1993 when Ghana returned to constitutional rule with the NDC winning power.
He also wants the Court to stop the NDC from ever celebrating or commemorating the event, and Government from renting out public spaces to the NDC for such celebrations.
Professor Asare, however, argues in the present case that NDC should not be allowed to mark the event at all since it is unconstitutional and unjustifiable.
The case is being heard by Justices Jones Dotse (Presiding), Yaw Appau; Samuel Marfo Sau, Agnes Dodze, Nene Amegatse, Professor Ashie Kotei, and Lovelace Johnson.
