When rules and laws are made by the Legislative service of Ghana, it is implemented by the Executive and the Judicial service ensures that justice is established when need be.

The citizenry on the other hand, is expected to comply with the set rules and laws of the country. On the contrary, what do we see in Ghana as an independent nation? Does the citizenry comply to set rules and laws within the country, Ghana?

Despite the sanctions received by persons with deviant behaviors, there is currently a rise in robbery incidents, murder cases and mob injustice.

On the streets of Ghana, pedestrians do not heed to traffic regulations while crossing the road. Drivers, motorists and cyclists do not comply with road signs and traffic regulations.

Who then is to blame for the rampant road accidents that occur on the roads across the country?

The indiscriminate disposal of waste especially solid waste such as plastics, polythene bags and faeces are actions punishable by law.

Rather, culprits are left not penalized and usually say that “it is the duty of the Zoomlion to clean the mess across the country”.

On the screens of televisions stations, at the studios of radios stations, on the front pages of newspapers and magazines, there are countless displays of nude images, use of vulgar language, among others.

Yet, there are rules and laws against all of the above mentioned actions and practices.

The 1992 Constitution of Ghana serves as the supreme law of the country which speaks against violence, impudence, lawlessness, among others, within the country.

Currently, some rules and laws in the country that have remained dormant for unknown reasons include; laws in the Criminal Offences Act (1960) and Public Health Act against indiscriminate disposal of waste, offences against public morals, offences against assault, et cetera.

One may ask, are the penalties imposed for violation of the set rules and laws in Ghana friendly and easily accommodated, or made to serve as a deterrent?

The supposed penalties charged to offenders of the law include; imprisonment with or without hard labor (as directed by the court), payment of fines as a punishment, among others.

When citizens are well-informed about the consequences of flouting the rules and laws of Ghana, it serves as a deterrent to them.

This becomes effective when perpetrators are not pardoned irrespective of the victim.

From a school of thought, the rules and laws of Ghana are not applied because the law enforcement agencies are themselves breaking the very laws they are supposed to be enforcing and are corrupt.

Law enforcement services in Ghana are provided by the following agencies of the Ministry of Interior; Ghana Police Service (GPS), Ghana Prisons Service (GPS), Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), Narcotic Control Board, National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) and Refugee Board.

The Ghana Police Service (GPS) is the main law enforcement agency in Ghana. The Inspector General of Police (IGP) is the head of the Ghana Police Service who is aided by two Deputy IGPs responsible for administration and operations.

Concerned citizens have also queried authority on the need to enact workable and achievable rules and laws in the country to ensure easy compliance.

As an independent nation, Ghana runs its affairs on the rules and laws passed by the Legislature. There exists three arms of government in the country.

That is; The Legislature which is charged with law-making as well as amendment and replacement of old laws. The Legislature serves as the representative of the people.

The Executive, as another arm of government, is an enforcer of law. This implies that it enforces laws endorsed by the Legislature. As part of its duties, the Executive deals with formulation and execution of governmental policies, to mention but a few.

Also, the Judicial is a branch of government that is concerned with the administration of justice. It also makes law when the existing laws are conflicting each other.

These three arms must work to ensure the maintenance of law and order in this country.