WOULD WE EVER CHANGE-WHY ALWAYS US?

 IRKING MOB ACTIONS AND INSTANT JUSTICE

In this era of modernization and society’s development the world over, it is gradually becoming almost a crime indulging in various acts of what used to be normal correctional activities aimed at reforming society’s derelicts and serving as deterrent schemes to ward off repeated offences or crimes in parts of Ghana. Mild social punishments and community works which served and continue to serve as retributions to offending individuals in other advanced jurisdictions like the U.S and the United Kingdom are just not working in our part of the world.

Committing crimes has become some form of fashionable way of life among especially the youth of this country that even measures purported to be correctional are no longer serving the purposes for which they were promulgated[fines, custodial sentences or both]. There have been instances where convicted criminals who complete their custodial sentences cannot but return to their old ways and even indulge in even greater crimes; there’s one key reason why this is so, though not in all instances.

People released from prison are more often than not discriminated against in our societies, and generally not accepted. It is for this and a few other reasons they return to committing such crimes, especially theft, robbery and other serious crimes, deemed beneficial to the perpetrators.

In Ghana and other areas deemed typical hideouts for criminals are almost always targeted by security and law enforcers in an attempt to expose wrong doing. It is always in the media; [three suspected robbers gunned down at Nima, Five alleged notorious serial robbers nabbed, but two die in shoot-out with police at Ashaiman, murder in suburb of Accra- two suspects grabbed by community patrol team of Sodom and Gomora and the like], even during electioneering periods and national undertakings police personnel identify such areas as possible flashpoints for the eruption of disturbances and unacceptable activities. The media has also done ‘very well’ in portraying areas of these kinds as seriously notorious and crime-prone[massive stereotyping].

Mob action and instant justice have often characterized the way people in some areas deal with ‘social enemies’ and misfits. I have been a witness to a number of such actions, where irate mobs have taken crime punishment into their own hands. At Kojo Sardine-Labadi one time, a middle aged man was burnt to ashes by angry inhabitants of the area when he allegedly couldn’t escape after a massive midnight raid one evening. Another occurred around trade fair where a suspected robber was stoned till he got lifeless.

These are very gory scenes one would not want to see on a regular basis. Various human rights activists and advocates have vehemently condemned such acts and advised that individuals should not take the law into their own hands in fighting crimes in general. They argue that these ‘inhumane’ acts-for want of a better word violate the very human rights such people should have.

International organizations concerned with human rights have also made their voices heard on the subject condemning any such acts of mob attacks and instant justice attempts, citing, it defeats the purpose for the existence of institutions such as the courts and tribunals.

At about 11 am November 5,2013……while on my way to Newtown from the Ghana Institute of Journalism to catch an appointment, and walking through the ‘corners corners’ of ‘dreaded ’circle, I met yet again another mob action. Apparently a man had stolen a mobile phone from the congested circle lorry park and was bolting when he was apprehended and beaten up severely left, right and center by angry guys around the place. 

Helpless as the guy was, he would not admit the crime, the more he protested the more severe the beating and manhandling got.

I waited to catch a glimpse of the activity among the packed mob that followed the procession all the way. Someway somehow I stole my way among the thickening to get a quick shot of the guy.He was being beaten with no sign of the security agencies around.

I said to myself; for how long would we continue this way? Even if criminals would not learn, would we as a people not also learn?

Maybe after reading this, your tendency to partake in such unlawful mob actions would be deflated and a more cautious eye-opening style approach you would adopt and adapt. It’s long overdue. Something is definitely wrong.

Kingsley komla Adom

Ghana Institute of Journalism

kingsleykomla@gmail.com-21st November 2013.