Communications member of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwasi Kwarteng, has told Ghanaians to remain silent if a future NPP government removes a Chief Justice when it returns to power in 2028.
He said this in response to what he believes is public indifference to an alleged political victimisation of Chief Justice Gertrude Esaaba Torkornoo by President John Dramani Mahama’s administration.
“Our silence and indifference in the face of this action amount to an implicit endorsement of rewriting the Constitution to reduce the office of the Chief Justice to a mere presidential appointee,” he wrote in a social media post on Saturday, April 19.
“If you see nothing wrong with today’s attack, abuse and violation of Article 146, then be prepared to remain silent when the NPP returns to power in 2028 and does the same. After all, principles are not seasonal and they should not change with the government in power,” he added.
According to him, the attempt to remove the Chief Justice appears to be based on the personal preferences of the President rather than constitutional grounds.
“The Chief Justice is not above reproach, but the fate of that office cannot be subject to the personal preferences and feelings of a new President. Undeniably, President Mahama’s attempt to remove the current Chief Justice appears to be nothing more than political victimisation,” he stated.
His comment follows news that three separate petitions have been submitted to the Council of State seeking the removal of Chief Justice Torkornoo in line with Article 146(6) of the 1992 Constitution.
The Chief Justice formally responded to the petitions on April 7, meeting the deadline set by the President. However, the content of the petitions and her response remain undisclosed.
