The National Democratic Congress (NDC) claims that President Nana Akufo-Addo is strategically appointing judges with affiliations to his ruling party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP). This move, they argue, is designed to shield his administration from future legal scrutiny once he leaves office. The NDC’s General Secretary, Fifi Kwetey, voiced these concerns during a recent press conference at their headquarters in Accra.
Kwetey articulated a severe critique of what he perceives as a manipulation of the judiciary, aimed at compromising its independence. Central to his accusations is a controversial interaction between the Chief Justice and the President concerning new appointments to the Supreme Court. According to Kwetey, the Chief Justice’s recent actions suggest an unsettling collusion with the presidency.
“The level of scheming to override due process and bend constitutional mandates to favor a single agenda is not only shocking but also scandalous,” Kwetey stated. He further highlighted a letter dated May 30, 2024, from Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo to President Akufo-Addo, which controversially recommended the nomination of five new Supreme Court judges.
Among those recommended is Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe, currently presiding over a high-profile case involving a leading member of the NDC. The inclusion of Asare Botwe and others like Justice Cyra Pamela Koranteng, Justice Edward Amoako Asante, Justice Eric Kyei Baffuour, and Justice Angelina Mensah Homiah has raised eyebrows, with many questioning the impartiality of their selection.
While the Chief Justice has defended her recommendations by citing the increasing workload at the Supreme Court, the opposition remains skeptical. They argue that these appointments are not just about addressing judicial capacity but are instead a calculated effort to populate the highest court with judges loyal to the President and his party.
As people and outsiders alike consider the effects of such actions on the credibility of the legal system, this ongoing dispute has sparked intense debate throughout Ghana. The accusations made by the NDC point to a calculated effort to weaken the court’s unbiased mediator function, which could tip the balances of justice in favor of those in positions of authority.
