Dr Ernest Owusu-Dapaa, Justice of the Court of Appeal, has emphasised the importance of balancing forgiveness with accountability in fostering a just and united society.
Speaking at the grand Iftar organised by the Ghana School of Law Muslim Students Association on Friday, March 28, he addressed concerns about increasing polarisation in Ghanaian society and called for a distinction between forgiveness and impunity, asserting that the former should not promote a culture of lawlessness.
“Forgiveness does not mean we should sacrifice accountability,” Justice Owusu-Dapaa stated.
Highlighting forgiveness as a crucial virtue in nation-building, he reminded citizens of its role in bridging divides and fostering harmony while cautioning that it should not be misinterpreted as a tolerance for wrongdoing.
He also underscored the moral and legal significance of forgiveness in Ghana.
“Forgiveness is a necessary thing for us; it is a very important aspect of the Islamic religion. Forgiveness is a sign of strength, not weakness. Vengeance is not a sign of strength,” he remarked.
Justice Owusu-Dapaa noted that forgiveness is embedded in the nation’s legal framework, citing the president’s “prerogative of mercy” as an example of this principle in action.
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