By Eugene Davis
The Minority in Parliament has described the petition to remove the Chief Justice (CJ) as a major setback to Ghana’s democratic progress.
At an emergency press conference on Wednesday, April 16, the Minority’s Legal Counsel and MP for Suame, John Darko, stated that the petition is baseless and fails to meet the constitutional requirements under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, which allows for the removal of a Justice only for stated misbehaviour, incompetence, or infirmity of body or mind.
“We see this spurious petition as an attempt to malign the head of the judiciary, orchestrate her removal, and ultimately silence the judiciary—all with June 30th in mind,” he said.
The Minority outlined the questionable grounds of the petition, including:
Claims that the CJ advised the President on Supreme Court appointments and presided over an ex parte matter involving the Speaker of Parliament.
A petition filed by an individual previously punished by the court for contempt.
An unsubstantiated allegation of financial misappropriation involving approximately GHC 75,000.
They warned of plans to invoke Article 146(10)(a) to suspend the CJ and install sympathisers of the current administration—moves they say threaten the independence of the judiciary and revive memories of past executive overreach.
The Minority called on judges to uphold their integrity and resist any pressure to undermine the judiciary. “You may rise together, but if you destroy others to rise, posterity will not be kind to you,” they cautioned.
Appeals were also made to various national and international stakeholders:
To foreign missions and development partners: “Your support is needed now more than ever.”
To traditional and religious leaders: “Now is the time to speak out and pray for the nation.”
To the people of Ghana: “Justice emanates from you. Under Article 125(1), it is your power that sustains the judiciary. Do not allow the erosion of your democratic rights.”
