Justice Isn’t Just for Legal Professionals: Yaw Nsarkoh Calls for Broader National Dialogue

Introduction

Justice should be a conversation that includes everyone, not just lawyers and judges. That’s the central message from Yaw Nsarkoh, a respected business executive and former Unilever Executive Vice President, who is now advocating for a much wider national dialogue on what justice really means in Ghana. In a recent appearance on Joy News’ PM Express, Nsarkoh warned that public discussions about justice have become trapped in legal jargon and courtroom technicalities, while the real-world impact on ordinary citizens is being overlooked. His call for a more inclusive conversation comes at a time when Ghana faces significant economic challenges and widening inequality, making his perspective especially relevant to anyone concerned about fairness, governance, and social progress.

Key Points

Background

Yaw Nsarkoh brings a unique perspective to the justice debate, having spent decades in the corporate world before turning his attention to national issues. His experience at Unilever, one of the world’s largest consumer goods companies, gave him insight into how large organizations operate and how policies affect people at all levels of society. Now, as a public commentator, he’s using that platform to challenge conventional thinking about justice and governance.

The timing of Nsarkoh’s intervention is significant. Ghana, like many countries, is grappling with economic difficulties, rising inequality, and questions about whether existing institutions are serving all citizens fairly. The country has seen protests, policy debates, and growing public frustration about the gap between legal frameworks and lived realities for many people.

Analysis

Nsarkoh’s argument touches on a fundamental tension in how societies think about justice. On one hand, the rule of law and legal procedures are essential for maintaining order and protecting rights. On the other hand, if these systems become so technical and specialized that ordinary citizens can’t understand or participate in them, they risk losing their legitimacy and effectiveness.

His critique of media coverage is particularly pointed. When news outlets focus heavily on court cases, legal arguments, and procedural details, they may be serving an important function of transparency and accountability. However, this approach can also create a barrier between the justice system and the people it’s meant to serve. Technical language and complex procedures can make people feel excluded from conversations that directly affect their lives.

The question Nsarkoh poses about poverty and justice is especially provocative. He asks whether having sophisticated legal systems in place matters if 20% of the population still lives in extreme poverty. This challenges us to think about justice not just as a matter of following rules, but as a matter of achieving outcomes that improve people’s lives.

Practical Advice

For citizens who want to engage more meaningfully in justice conversations, Nsarkoh’s comments suggest several approaches:

First, don’t be intimidated by legal jargon. If you’re confused by technical terms, ask for clarification or seek explanations from non-legal sources. Many community organizations and civic groups offer resources that explain legal issues in plain language.

Second, bring your lived experience to the conversation. Whether you’re a farmer, a market trader, a student, or a professional, your perspective on how justice affects daily life is valuable. Share your stories and concerns with community leaders, media outlets, and elected representatives.

Third, support media that makes an effort to explain complex issues in accessible ways. Look for journalists and commentators who connect legal developments to their real-world impact on ordinary people.

Fourth, engage with organizations that work on justice issues from multiple perspectives. Groups that include sociologists, economists, and community organizers alongside legal experts often provide more comprehensive approaches to solving problems.

FAQ

Conclusion

Yaw Nsarkoh’s call for a broader national dialogue on justice represents an important challenge to how we think about fairness, governance, and social progress. His argument that justice should be measured by its impact on people’s lives rather than just by adherence to legal procedures speaks to a fundamental question about what we want our justice systems to achieve.

The conversation Nsarkoh is advocating for would bring together legal professionals with experts from other fields and, crucially, with ordinary citizens whose lives are most affected by justice policies. This more inclusive approach could help ensure that justice systems truly serve everyone, not just those who understand their technical workings.

As Ghana and other countries continue to grapple with economic challenges and questions about fairness, Nsarkoh’s perspective offers a valuable reminder that justice should be a conversation for everyone, not just for lawyers and judges. The real test of any justice system should be whether it makes tangible improvements in people’s lives, not just whether it follows proper procedures.