Former Anyaa Sowutuom MP, Dickson Adomako Kissi, says removing Chief Justice Gertrude Esaaba Torkonoo would be injurious to Ghana’s democracy.
He warned that such a move could set a dangerous precedent, where future Presidents might also seek to remove key state officials such as the Chief Justice, thereby weakening democratic institutions.
Speaking on Channel One TV on Tuesday, May 6, the former lawmaker acknowledged that the removal of former Electoral Commission Chairperson, Charlotte Osei, was wrong—but argued that the EC is not a co-equal arm of government like the judiciary.
“The next president after Mahama could say, ‘Me too, I’m changing the Speaker and I’m changing the CJ.’ And that becomes a new trend. That’s where I worry,” he said.
“People have argued that the EC Chairperson was also removed. But the EC is not an arm of government. Yes, we may have erred in removing Charlotte Osei, but this is different,” he added.
“This involves the three arms of government. Even for Parliament to impeach a president is no small task. So to take this path will be injurious to our democracy. It also weakens the judiciary,” he warned.
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 criticism from some civil society groups and opposition political parties, who believe the process is politically motivated.
