Governance analyst Professor Baffour Agyemang-Duah has cautioned against the potential political implications of the petitions seeking the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo, warning that such actions could undermine the independence of constitutional bodies.
Speaking in an interview on Citi FM, Professor Agyemang-Duah noted that some members of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), though unofficially, have expressed dissatisfaction with the Chief Justice’s actions during the election campaign, which could fuel perceptions that the petitions are politically motivated.
“Because some NDC members, though not officially, have expressed dissatisfaction with the Chief Justice’s actions during the campaign, this could easily be viewed as a political witch hunt,” he said.
He further compared the current situation to a past instance where former President Nana Akufo-Addo oversaw the removal of the then-Electoral Commission chairperson, a move that sparked controversy at the time.
“Former President Akufo-Addo did something similar with the removal of the previous Electoral Commission chairperson. If this becomes a norm, it sets a dangerous precedent where every new government feels the need to replace key figures in constitutional bodies,” he cautioned.
Professor Agyemang-Duah stressed that constant political interference in independent institutions would erode public trust and create instability in governance.
“If every newly elected government seeks to remove certain individuals from independent bodies, it will create instability and mistrust in these institutions,” he warned.
