Dr Jones Opoku-Ware, a criminologist and lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has described the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Esaaba Torkornoo as excessively harsh.
Initially hesitant to comment on the matter, Dr Opoku-Ware ultimately expressed concern, stating that the decision reflects poorly on Ghana's democratic credentials.
In an interview on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM's Frontline program, he emphasized the revered nature of the Chief Justice's office, arguing that it should never be subjected to undue external pressures. "I would be very happy if you would spare me from commenting on the matter," he said. "But to be honest and very blunt, I think it does not send a very good signal about how we are dealing with our independent institutions.
The way the judicial arm of government was dealt with is unfortunate." He noted that political parties and their supporters in power often call for the removal of state officials without considering the long-term consequences for the nation. "Some are even claiming that since we did the same to an Electoral Commissioner, doing it to the Chief Justice is not a big deal," he explained. "However, I believe that for a country practicing democracy, we must ensure that institutions are well-built and serve their intended purpose. "While we should hold state officials accountable for misconduct, we must not make it seem as though we are intentionally targeting individuals as a form of retribution.
