Governance analyst Professor Baffour Agyemang-Duah has cautioned against the potential political implications of 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 opposition (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.
