[ad_1]
General News on Thursday, April 25, 2019
Source: Myjoyonline.com
2019-04-25
Victor James Gheho
A Ghanaian diplomat said the interruption of legal proceedings against a Chinese illegal miner, Aisha Huang, indirectly ridiculed Ghana's justice system.
Victor James Gheho insists that no diplomatic agreement between Ghana and China grants immunity to nationals of one or the other country against the crime and the legal pursuits.
"As far as I am concerned, there is no agreement today between Ghana and China on the fact that someone who has committed a crime can be sent back to serve his political interests. This is a very bad precedent and I think it's wrong, "said veteran diplomat Kojo Yankson in Joy News on Thursday.
Ms. Huang was brought to court on May 9, 2017 for taking part in galamsey activities in Bepotenten, in the Central District of Amansie, in the Ashanti region. But the trial was stopped later.
Yaw Osafo-Maafo, senior foreign minister, told a public meeting abroad that Ghana had excellent diplomatic relations with China and intended to Associate with this country as part of major infrastructure projects, citing the $ 2 billion agreement reached by Sinohydro.
"Today, the main company that contributes to the development of the infrastructure system in Ghana is Sinohydro, it is a Chinese company. It is the one that will help us deal with our bauxite and provide us with about $ 2 billion.
"So, when there is this kind of arrangements, there are other things behind the scenes. [Aisha] in prison in Ghana will not solve your economic problems, "he said.
But Mr. Gbeho insists that "the government's decision to let Ms. Hauag go is debatable. No one, other than the government itself, should be able to answer. "
He admits that bilateral agreements exist between nations. These agreements may include extradition provisions.
However, these provisions, he said, are not intended to achieve criminal objectives, but to strengthen the rule of law, including by protecting the human rights of nationals who are likely to be at risk. to be tried in a country that does not respect the principles of law.
"Sometimes these things happen but they are wrong. If this involves criminals, laws must work unless there is a violation of human rights, "Gheho said.
Mr. Gheho warned that if the practice of letting out justice persists, it will "weaken the law and order in the country.
The accomplished diplomat is in rich company.
The Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining said the government's suspension of lawsuits against Aisha Huang was a fatal blow to the fight against illegal mining.
According to Ken Ashigbey, the government must immediately correct the negative impression created by his action on Ms. Huang.
"Messaging is so important. The message that emerges from the Prime Minister's remarks is a fatal blow to the fight against Galamsey. It's very demotivating for everyone involved in this.
"I think that there should be a correction from the Minister of Information to the President, something must be done about it," said the coalition leader to Joy News during an interview Thursday.
Source link
