Suspension of Chief Justice Was Constitutionally Justified – Government Spokesperson
The Minister of State for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has clarified that President John Mahama’s suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo was a direct application of Ghana’s constitutional provisions, not an act of personal or political bias.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Top Story on Monday evening, Mr. Ofosu dismissed mounting calls from the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) for the reinstatement of the suspended Chief Justice, warning that such requests risk undermining the rule of law.
“President Mahama has acted purely based on constitutional injunction. There is nothing unconstitutional about this decision,” he asserted.
GBA’s Criticism Rejected as Politically Motivated
Earlier, the GBA urged reconsideration of the CJ’s suspension, citing concerns about the independence of the judiciary and drawing attention to Ghana’s past struggles, including the tragic murder of High Court judges.
However, Mr. Ofosu described such comparisons as misleading and inflammatory.
“There are those trying to draw non-existent parallels between the murder of judges in the past and this constitutional process,” he said.
“It’s a distortion of history and a dangerous narrative.”
He further argued that the GBA’s appeal is tantamount to encouraging constitutional violations:
“To ask that constitutional processes be abandoned because of the high office someone holds is improper and sets a terrible precedent,” he added.
Accusations of Political Bias Against GBA
Mr. Kwakye Ofosu criticized the GBA’s consistent alignment with opposition viewpoints, especially those of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and accused them of straying from their non-partisan mandate.
“The GBA’s recent statements mirror opposition rhetoric. They seem to want justice to remove its blindfold depending on who’s involved,” he said.
He maintained that all public officeholders, including the Chief Justice, must be held accountable under the 1992 Constitution, emphasizing the principle of equality before the law.
Background: CJ Suspended Under Article 146
Justice Gertrude Torkornoo was suspended after the Judicial Council established a prima facie case against her under Article 146 of the Constitution. The development has stirred widespread debate about judicial independence, the rule of law, and executive powers in Ghana.
Despite the controversy, the government insists the suspension followed due process and should be respected.
Source: https://www.myjoyonline.com
