The Minority in Parliament has launched a scathing attack on President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to suspend the Chief Justice, describing the move as a politically motivated “witch-hunt” designed to intimidate the judiciary.
The suspension follows a petition filed to the President by a group of unnamed citizens, alleging misconduct and breaches of judicial ethics by the Chief Justice.
President Mahama, in line with Article 146 of the Constitution, subsequently referred the matter to the Chief Justice’s own peers for investigation and acted on the recommendation to suspend her.
But the Minority in Parliament says the action reeks of executive overreach and undermines the independence of Ghana’s judicial system.
“President Mahama’s actions confirm what many have long suspected – that this is not about
accountability, but about raw political control.
“His public declaration in Akosombo that he intends to, in effect, balance the judiciary by appointing NDC-aligned judges exposes the ulterior motive behind this sudden rush to remove the Chief Justice.
This is neither good governance nor credible attempt to “reset” of the judicial – it is tyranny.
If the President believes he can strong-arm the judiciary into submission, he must be reminded
that Ghana is a constitutional democracy, not a fiefdom.
“The people of Ghana will not tolerate the subversion of judicial independence for partisan gain”, the Caucus said in a statement on Tuesday (22 April).
“Judicial coup”
“Let this statement serve as unequivocal notice to President Mahama and his administration:
• Any further attempts to harass, intimidate, or unlawfully remove the Chief Justice will be
met with fierce legal and public resistance.
• Any effort to pack the judiciary with politically compliant judges will be challenged to the
fullest extent of the law.
• The legal fraternity, civil society, and all defenders of democracy will not stand idly by
while the judiciary is turned into an appendage of the Executive.
Demands
The Minority is further demanding the immediate reinstatement of the Chief Justice and a “halt to all removal proceedings until the judiciary has conclusively ruled on the constitutionality of the process.
“The integrity of Ghana’s judiciary is non-negotiable. We shall vigorously oppose any and all attempts to turn our courts into political tools”
