|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Former Member of Parliament for Asante Akim-North, Andy Appiah-Kubi, has heavily criticised the Council of State following the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
His reaction follows President John Dramani Mahama’s decision on Tuesday, April 22, to suspend the Chief Justice after a prima facie case was established from three separate petitions. These petitions were submitted by a private citizen, Daniel Ofori, senior police officer Ayamga Akolgo, and the civic group Shining Stars of Ghana. Acting under Article 146(6) of the 1992 Constitution and with advice from the Council of State, the President proceeded to set up a five-member committee to investigate the matter.
Speaking on ‘The Big Issue’ show on Channel One TV with Selorm Adonoo, Mr. Appiah-Kubi expressed disappointment in the Council of State’s role in the process.
“I knew that the government had such plans to frustrate the Chief Justice, and I knew that would happen. I think that it was improper for the President to have embarked on that tangent. But I wouldn’t fault him also for the path he has taken. What the constitution says is what he has done pursuant to the petition. These are some of the constitutional flaws that need to be reviewed, given the opportunity now,” he said.
Mr. Appiah-Kubi warned about the dangers of political interference in the judiciary, describing it as a major threat to the country’s democracy.
“If we extend the hand of politics to the judiciary also, then it means we don’t have a place to run to in times of difficulty. It’s a very dangerous situation we have now. I would have hoped that the Council of State would have prevailed on the President. The substance of the petitions is not as strong as one would have expected,” he stated.
The former MP expressed deep disappointment over the Council of State’s endorsement of a prima facie case, arguing that the evidence presented was too weak to justify such drastic action.
“I was very disappointed that the Council of State returned a verdict of prima facie. Personally, I think that it’s a very sad event unfolding,” he said.
He further urged national leaders to think carefully about the wider impact such actions could have on governance, judicial independence, and investor confidence.
“We’re setting a bad precedent in Ghana and Africa. It also affects investor confidence. We have to look at the totality of the outcomes before we come to a decision like this. The petitions are not grievous enough to warrant the removal [suspension] of the Chief Justice,” Mr. Appiah-Kubi emphasized.
Email Daily Mail GH: stories@dailymailgh.com or
Whatsapp: +233(0)509928122
