Lawyer and law lecturer at the UPSA, Justice Abdulai has called for urgent constitutional reforms to strengthen and clarify the process for removing high-ranking public officials, including the Chief Justice, amid growing debate over the legality and fairness of current procedures.
Speaking on The Big Issue on Channel One TV on Saturday, May 3, Justice Abdulai stressed that the current framework, though imperfect, remains binding until amended. "I keep saying, until we take active steps to amend and indeed provide for these roadmaps going forward, this is what we have, this is what the constitution provides," he said.
He added: "I do not see how we can act unconstitutionally simply to appease some people who may feel that something unfair or unlawful will happen during the process." His comments come in the wake of sharp public and institutional criticism of the legal framework guiding the removal of the Chief Justice, following a petition submitted against Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
Justice Abdulai warned against populist approaches to constitutional matters and called for a comprehensive review of the removal processes for all Article 71 officeholders, excluding ministers who can be dismissed at the President's discretion. "As I keep saying, let's provide for a more robust, comprehensive removal process not just for the Chief Justice because we have similar challenges with all the Article 71 Public Holders, apart from Ministers who can easily be removed," he noted, adding "It's the best way we can consolidate our democracy." Read also…… GBA losing its relevance in Ghana's democracy - Prof Khalid
