The Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, has revealed that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will soon present a proposal to reform Article 146 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.
Speaking to ABC News GH on Thursday, the MP stressed the urgency of introducing clear rules and regulations to guide impeachment proceedings against high-ranking judicial officers, particularly in light of the ongoing investigation into Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
“There has to be rule of regulation that will regulate the proceedings,” he said. “Without it, it may seem like a kangaroo hearing.”
The MP’s remarks come as a five-member committee, chaired by Supreme Court Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, begins its hearings into petitions filed against the Chief Justice.
The committee was formed by President John Mahama after determining a prima facie case in consultation with the Council of State, as mandated by Article 146(6).
Awuah warned of the broader implications for Ghana’s constitutional democracy if the process lacks transparency and fairness.
“It has a … on impacting on our constitutional democracy,” he cautioned.
“Anything short of that can derail our democracy.”
Calling for a non-partisan and national approach, Awuah urged Ghanaians to focus on institutional reforms rather than personalities.
“Well-meaning Ghanaians should look beyond CJ Torkornoo and the office of the Chief Justice,” he said, emphasizing that the issue is about the sanctity of the office, not the individual.
He proposed a broader constitutional review to ensure Article 146 is not manipulated by future governments.
“Let’s not do anything that will put us on a sleepy slop,” he warned, adding, “This should not become a low-hanging fruit for future governments to plug, like we are seeing it now.”
