The Office of the President has strongly defended President John Dramani Mahama’s handling of the petition that led to the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, insisting that he acted strictly in accordance with the 1992 Constitution.
Speaking on behalf of the presidency at a media briefing, presidential spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu refuted suggestions that the President’s actions were politically motivated or discretionary.
“His Excellency the President took an oath—an oath he was incidentally sworn into by Her Ladyship the Chief Justice herself,” Kwakye stated. “And in that oath, he swore to abide by the 1992 Constitution.”
He emphasized that the President had a constitutional obligation to act once such a petition was received and did not have the liberty to ignore or delay the process.
“He has had no choice in the matter. The President cannot say that he has a view about how things should be done and therefore, if petitions have come, he will fail to act,” Kwakye said. “If he did that, he himself would be in breach of the Constitution.”
The clarification comes in the wake of a press conference by the suspended Chief Justice, during which she described the proceedings as politically motivated and unjust. But the presidency insists that President Mahama simply fulfilled his legal responsibilities.
“He has been enjoined to act as any responsible leader or President of the Republic of Ghana would be required to do, as stipulated by the 1992 Constitution,” Kwakye concluded.
