Former Eastern Regional Minister and senior member of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Seth Acheampong, has cautioned against what he terms a potential “democracy capture” following the recent suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo by President John Dramani Mahama.
Speaking on Breakfast Daily on Channel One TV, Acheampong expressed deep concern over the implications of the president’s decision, urging utmost caution and adherence to due process.
“One needs to be cautious. If care is not taken, we could suffer what we call in politics and multiparty democracy as democracy capture. The democracy capture will be referred to as a situation where a party can appropriate to themselves the institutions and processes as well as the dividends of governance,” he said.
The suspension of Chief Justice Torkornoo on Tuesday, April 22, follows the establishment of a prima facie case by President Mahama in response to three separate petitions calling for her removal.
The petitions, details of which have not been fully disclosed, are believed to be rooted in administrative and interpersonal disputes, including travel-related matters.
Acheampong questioned the grounds for the impeachment process, emphasising that the constitution mandates the president to act fairly in such matters. He reiterated that so far, publicly available information does not suggest a breach significant enough to warrant removal.
“So far, I have been listening to what has been known to the public. I haven’t seen any of the petitions, but it speaks to interpersonal conflict on travel issues. Under the circumstances, are we saying that these things trigger an impeachment?” he noted.
According to him, the president’s role in such proceedings should be procedural, not prejudicial. “The president is a conveyor belt; that is why I raised the argument that if we are not careful and cautious in due process, we could experience what we call the democracy capture, and it is very crucial,” he stressed.
Acheampong’s remarks come amid a growing national conversation on the implications of the Chief Justice’s suspension. While critics have condemned the move as politically motivated, others have urged institutional introspection.
Adding to the discourse, National Coordinator for the District Road Improvement Programme, Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, urged the public to prioritise the broader reformation of Ghana’s judicial system rather than personalising.
—citinewsroom
