The Centre for Democratic Movement (CDM) has denounced the suspension of Ghana’s Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, characterizing it as a blatant infringement of constitutional protocols and a peril to judicial autonomy.
The organization criticized President John Dramani Mahama’s action, contending that it circumvented the legal processes stipulated in Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution.
In a forceful statement, CDM asserted that the President’s move represents a significant violation of constitutional standards, a direct assault on judicial independence, and a troubling politicization of the judiciary.
The Centre referenced pertinent constitutional clauses and legal precedents, such as Frank Agyei-Twum v. Attorney General, to substantiate its assertions.
Furthermore, CDM expressed apprehensions regarding the exercise of discretionary power under Article 296, highlighting the absence of any published regulations that informed the President’s decision.
The absence of such guidelines renders the exercise of discretionary authority arbitrary, unregulated, and lacking constitutional validity,” the statement indicated, citing Ransford France v. Attorney-General.
The organization characterized this situation as a “dangerous precedent” that may encourage executive overreach and threaten democratic institutions.
It cautioned that unrestrained actions of this kind could diminish public confidence in the judiciary. In summary, CDM demanded the prompt reversal of the suspension and called upon civil society, the Ghana Bar Association, and the media to uphold constitutional governance.
“The Constitution should not be weaponized, and the judiciary must not face repercussions for its independence,” the statement concluded.
