Presidential Spokesperson and Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has refuted claims that the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo is part of a broader agenda to “reset the Judiciary.”
In an interview with JoyNews monitored by Bulletonline, Kwakye Ofosu clarified that the notion of resetting the Judiciary had been widely misunderstood.
“It has nothing to do with setting the Judiciary. Resetting the Judiciary simply means that we demand that fairness and balance prevail in the way that the Judiciary does its work. That’s all it’s about,” he explained.
He emphasized that the President does not possess the authority to arbitrarily dismiss judges.
“The President cannot go and physically purport to be resetting the Judiciary by removing judges. This is a victory for the rule of law,” he stated.
Kwawye Ofosu further underscored the principle of equality before the law, insisting that legal accountability must apply to all citizens, regardless of status.
“The fundamental principle of the rule of law, the reason why the rule of law must be adhered to, is that all of us are equal before the law. If I violate Ghanaian law, irrespective of our standing in society, we must be dealt with according to the details of the law. Any society that is unable to do that cannot call itself a society governed by the rule of law.”
Addressing concerns about the symbolic weight of the Chief Justice’s office, he rejected the notion that her position should shield her from removal.
“I get the impression that people are considering the significance of the office of the CJ and are therefore saying that irrespective of the availability of wrongdoing, if constitutional provisions are followed to arrive at a determination that she should be removed, she should not be removed, simply because she is a CJ. We cannot do that,” he added.
Early today, President John Dramani Mahama, in accordance with Article 146(9) of the 1992 Constitution, removed the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkonoo, from office with immediate effect following receipt of the report of the Committee constituted under Article 146(6) to inquire into a petition submitted by a Ghanaian citizen, Mr Daniel Ofori. After considering the petition and the evidence, the Committee found that the grounds of stated misbehaviour under Article 146(1) had been established and recommended her removal from office.
Under Article 146(9), the President is required to act in accordance with the committee’s recommendation.
