Political analyst Dr. Samuel Afriyie has cautioned that the independence of Ghana’s judiciary hangs in the balance, depending on how the presidency responds to the findings of the committee probing the suspension of the Chief Justice.
Dr. Afriyie warned that any decision appearing to be driven by political motives rather than impartial legal scrutiny would set a dangerous precedent, undermining public confidence in the rule of law and the separation of powers.
The committee in question was established following petitions against Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, which led President Mahama to suspend her and refer the matter for formal inquiry.
Critics within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and opposition parties have framed the suspension as part of a broader power struggle, heightening concerns about executive overreach into the judicial arm.
Dr. Afriyie noted that while the constitution grants the president discretionary authority in these matters, its exercise must be guided by the imperative to protect the judiciary from political interference.
Dr. Afriyie’s intervention comes at a critical juncture for Ghana’s democratic institutions. He stressed that a perception of politicised justice could erode the foundation of checks and balances, impeding fair adjudication and weakening the judiciary’s ability to act as a bulwark against abuse of executive power.
