Former Supreme Court Justice, William Atuguba, has raised serious concerns over President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's appointments to Ghana's Electoral Commission (EC), questioning their legitimacy and fairness.
His criticism touches on deeper issues of governance, impartiality, and the integrity of national institutions.
Speaking on TV3 on Thursday, September 19, Justice Atuguba argued that the President's choice of appointees reflects a bias towards individuals with political affiliations-what he described as "stooges"-which he believes undermines the impartiality required of the EC.
According to Justice Atuguba, the essence of such appointments should be fairness and transparency, principles which he feels have been neglected in favour of political loyalty. "In the first place the person who exercised that power to appoint, if he is mindful of the requirement that the exercise of the power shall be fair and candid you don't go and bring your stooges to run a national institution." He further questioned whether individuals with clear political connections should have accepted such roles in the first place, stating that this reflects a broader culture where people prioritize power over the ethical constraints that should guide public service. "Their appointment, is it fair and candid if it is true that most of them are politically exposed is that a fair and candid way if doing it?
Should they themselves have even accepted that appointment?
we are not serious and that is why we are suffering so much, people just enjoy the power without looking at the constraints hedging the power around." Additionally, Justice Atuguba touched on the ongoing debate surrounding Ghana's voter register.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has been pushing for an audit of the register, arguing that it contains irregularities.
According to the retired justice, such an audit could potentially resolve many of the questions and suspicions surrounding the integrity of the register.