Former Anyaa Sowutuom MP Dr. Dickson Adomako Kissi has explained that the demonstration organized by a group of political parties under the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was focused on the wider ramifications for Ghana’s judicial independence rather than Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo personally.
Speaking on Tuesday, May 6 on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily, Adomako Kissi cautioned that if President John Dramani Mahama’s suspension of the Chief Justice is not challenged, it might create a risky precedent that jeopardizes the balance of power in Ghana’s democratic system.
“It is not really about the woman, it is about the position, and it is not about it being an NDC government. This protest is supposed to be a mark for Ghana to be very careful in the future because I envision every president now coming and wanting to nominate the Speaker of Parliament and change the Chief Justice,” he stated.
The separation of powers premise would be compromised by such developments, he said, observing, “What we are trying to do is empower the executive more than the other arms of government. The independence of the Judiciary is at stake, and the checks and balances in our system ought to be looked at. What is at stake now is not necessarily the woman but the independence of the judiciary being thrown out.”
The former MP’s remarks come after the NPP and a coalition of political parties demonstrated against Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo’s suspension on Monday, May 5. Protesters accused the Mahama-led government of eroding the rule of law and judicial autonomy as they marched through Accra.
Since then, the alliance has formally petitioned the judiciary, parliament, and the presidency. Stan Dogbe, the Deputy Chief of Staff in Charge of Operations, received the petition from Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin at the Jubilee House.
The group called on President Mahama to uphold the integrity of Ghana’s democratic institutions and lift the suspension.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Joseph Asare
