The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has strongly condemned the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo by President John Dramani Mahama, describing the move as unconstitutional, absurd, and repugnant.
President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday, April 22, suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo following the establishment of a prima facie case in response to three separate petitions seeking her removal from office.
However, the NPP has alleged that the President’s decision undermines the democratic progress Ghana has made since the inception of the Fourth Republic.
The NPP believes such an action sets a dangerous precedent and marks a setback for democratic governance in the country.
This reaction came during a meeting on Wednesday, April 23, between the NPP’s 2024 presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and staff at the party headquarters.
The party’s General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Koduah, used the occasion to call on civil society organisations to rise and speak against what he termed a blatant abuse of power.
“…Suspended by the sitting government, something that has never happened under the Fourth Republic. As a party, we are using this medium to show our displeasure about the action of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama. This is not the democracy Ghana is looking for. As a country that has gone through several elections, there should be progression, not regression,” he said.
He further criticised the President’s disregard for due process, especially considering that a petition challenging the suspension had already been filed at the Supreme Court.
“The action by His Excellency, President Mahama, is not just absurd but also unconstitutional. When we know that a petition has been filed at the Supreme Court challenging the very process, at least the President should adhere to the rules and principles of the law by allowing due process to take its course before carrying on with this politically motivated activity,” he added.
