Friday, 02 May

NDC Legal Director slams GBA over criticism of Chief Justice suspension

Politics
Godwin Eduzi Tamakloe

The Director of Legal Affairs of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe, has pushed back against the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) over its call for President John Dramani Mahama to revoke the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.

The GBA, in a statement dated April 26, described the President’s action as unconstitutional, arguing that the suspension lacked legal foundation.

The Association contended that President Mahama’s decision, allegedly made under Article 146(10) of the Constitution, was flawed due to the absence of a published Constitutional or Statutory Instrument outlining the criteria for presidential discretion, as required under Article 296.

Responding to the GBA’s statement during an appearance on Channel One TV’s The Point of View, Mr. Tamakloe described the Association’s position as constitutionally unsound.

“The GBA statement, I think, offends the 1992 Constitution and does a lot of violence to the decisions by the Supreme Court of Ghana,” he stated.

He further praised President Mahama for what he described as a fair and transparent process in handling the matter.

“President Mahama has demonstrated a certain high level of transparency, fairness that is required by the Constitution,” Mr. Tamakloe added.

Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo was suspended by President Mahama on April 22, 2025, following the establishment of a prima facie case against her.

The suspension came in response to petitions submitted by private citizen Daniel Ofori, senior police officer Ayamga Akolgo, and the civic group Shining Stars of Ghana.

 

A five-member committee has since been set up to investigate the allegations, in accordance with constitutional procedures.

Source: Classfmonline.com/Cecil Mensah