Private legal practitioner Abraham Amaliba has criticised the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) for its continued display of political bias in favour of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) following its recent commentary on the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Torkonoo.
Speaking on Morning Starr with Naa Dedei Tettey, Mr. Amaliba lamented the GBA’s apparent reluctance to uphold neutrality in national matters.
“This is a case of a bar that wants to continue in its habits so I am not surprised but I thought that it would have departed from that line of behavior,” he said, expressing dismay over the GBA’s resolution on the Chief Justice’s suspension.
He further questioned the legal merit of the GBA’s position. “If you look at their resolution they seem not to be talking about law.
“I’ve not seen them quote any provision in the law that stipulates that the president has violated the provisions of the Constitution and so you can see a bar that is under pressure to do the bidding of the NPP.”
Amaliba noted that the Bar Association has historically criticized government only when the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is in power, a trend he believed had been broken but now sees returning. He, however, expressed little concern over its latest posture. “But I’m happy the bar is becoming a more bond association so their comments no longer carry weight so I’m not bored.”
Echoing a similar sentiment, Deputy Education Minister Clement Apaak accused the Bar of political selectivity. In a Facebook post, he slammed the association for only “finding its voice” when the NDC governs.
“President John Dramani Mahama will not be distracted by a Seasonal Association, which only finds its voice when the NDC is in power,” Dr. Apaak wrote. “If the GBA believes he has broken any laws, the courts are there.”
Dr. Apaak’s remarks responded to the GBA’s call for President Mahama to reinstate the suspended Chief Justice. He stressed that the president remained focused on his constitutional responsibilities and urged the association to seek legal redress if it believed the law had been breached.
