Former Minister of Health, Dr. Bernard Okoe-BoyeFormer Minister of Health, Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye, has warned that Ghana’s democracy will be in grave danger if President John Dramani Mahama proceeds with the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
Speaking at the #SaveTheJudiciaryDemo on Monday, May 5, Dr. Okoe-Boye urged the President to reverse the Chief Justice’s suspension and halt what he described as a dangerous attempt to control all arms of government.
President Mahama, on April 22, suspended the Chief Justice with immediate effect after three petitions seeking her removal were submitted.
A five-member committee of inquiry was subsequently set up to investigate the claims.
However, the move has drawn criticisms from some civil society groups and opposition political parties, who believe the process is politically motivated.
“If Mahama succeeds in removing the Chief Justice, Ghana will be unsafe. There will be survival of the fittest. The only thing that makes a country, a country and not a jungle is the courts,” the former Member of Parliament for Ledzokuku said.
He expressed concern that President Mahama already controls the executive and legislature, and warned that capturing the judiciary would complete what he called a “dangerous takeover.”
Dr. Okoe-Boye also questioned the neutrality of the process leading to the Chief Justice’s suspension, citing the composition of the Council of State and the committee formed by the President.
“The Council of State is 80% biased in favour of the sitting President. Most of them were appointed by him, so even unconsciously, there’s internal bias,” he said.
“It’s no surprise they established a prima facie case. And the committee to sit on the matter was also appointed by the same President, who has openly stated that ‘reset must start with the Chief Justice’,” he said.
