Today in History : On October 12,1988 PNDC establishes the judicial council

In this important post titled Today in History, we look at the October 12 event and how the 1988 PNDC established the judicial council of Ghana.

Exactly 35 years ago, on 12th October 1988, the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC), a military junta led by Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, established the Judicial Council to promote justice and combat corruption in the country.

As per its implementation, the council was to be chaired by the Chief Justice of Ghana, with representatives from other government agencies such as the Police Service, the Attorney General’s Department, and the Ghana Bar Association.

Establishing a Judicial Council was one of the core aims of the PNDC to ensure fairness, equality, and justice in the country.

The Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) empowered the Judicial Council to prevent corruption of any nature and to promote the well-being of every citizen through sound judgment.

The Judicial Council functioned as an independent organ, free from interference by any political entity, including the PNDC itself, which had established it.

Functions of the Judicial Council

1. Interpretation of Law:
The primary responsibility of the judiciary, led by the Chief Justice along with other legal experts, was to interpret the laws governing the country in a way that citizens could understand. When a case was brought before the court, it was the Judicial Council’s mandate to gather and analyze applicable facts to settle disputes appropriately.

2. Lawmaking:
One of the key reasons for establishing the council was to assist in creating laws that would protect citizens from any form of assault, harm, or violations of their fundamental human rights. Even under military rule, measures and laws were implemented to ensure the safety and welfare of the populace.

3. Dispute Resolution:
The Judicial Council was also tasked with settling disputes that arose between groups or individuals in the country. Those found guilty of engaging in criminal activities were subjected to appropriate punishment.

The Formation and Transition of the PNDC

The Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) was formed by Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings following the 31st December 1981 coup. The PNDC initiated its operations by encouraging total citizen participation in governance and addressing public opinions.

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The PNDC emphasized that if any government failed to eradicate corruption, it had no justification for its existence.

Members of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) included:

• D.F. Annan
• Captain Kojo Tsikata
• Ebo Tawiah
• Iddrisu Yahyah
• Dr. Mary Grant

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In 1992, with the country’s transition to a democratic system of governance, the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) evolved into the National Democratic Congress (NDC), a political party