laws

Dear Editor,

                          LAW   ENFORCEMENT

Laws are made to ensure equality of individuals and the country as whole. Law, as the word recites it, is a strong body which does not infringe the rights of the people and also stated that nobody is about it. Not even the president according to the rule of law governing the country.

The laws in this country ensure political stability, democracy and peace in its totality. Therefore, in as much as we want the people respect other people’s rights the every law must be enforced to curtail others from violating the rights of other people in the country.

As we all know , the executives are policy makers, then these policy are send to the parliament  or legislatures as a bill and it debated when it is by the majority it becomes a law and it is implemented or enforced by the judiciary.

But here is the case that some laws are made and they are not enforcing at all. It is publicly known that motorist or ‘’okada’’ (what is usually known in Nigeria ‘’okada’’) business in Ghana is illegal in accordance of the law but as I speak now it ongoing business in Ashiaman market and it surroundings. In Ghana we have ‘trotro’ and taxi business not ‘okada’ Most of them are Nigeria citizens which have been increasingly social vice in that area. When you report such cases to the police they tell it is not our responsibilities to arrest them. So my question is whose responsibility? And what is the government of Ghana is doing to avert the situation in the Ashiaman community because everyday a lot of issues pop out and it seems like Ashiaman is not part of the capital.      

And also  Sometimes ago, a law was passed that nobody should smoke in the public places as at now it seems like it has fallen into deaf ears. I have witness few public places whereby a person almost lost her life because of this smoke and fortunately there was a police personnel around so I report the incident to him and to my surprised! He boldly told me that police are not supposed to arrest such person I quested who is supposed to enforce those laws?   And most at times those smokers are prominent people in the society who do whatever they please and go away with it.

It is believed that laws are made to curtailed other people from violating others people right.  If laws are made and there is institutions to enforce them why then should we keep on making them then we are wasting time, energy and resources as a nation for nothing. A country without laws is like a house without walls.

                                                 ABIGAIL OPOKU

                                                 GHANA INSTITUTE OF JOURNALISM

                                                 P.O. BOX GP 667, ACCRA

                                                 nanaakua9391@yahoo.com.