The Member of Parliament for Dormaa East, Paul Apraku Twum Barimah has called on stakeholders and the good people of Ghana to solidly protect the sanctity of the Judiciary to enable it operate effectively in Ghana’s democracy.
Honourable Twum Barimah in a statement condemned the unnecessary and irresponsible attacks on the judiciary by ex-president Mahama and supporters of the National Democratic Congress
Speaking in an exclusive interview, honourable Twum Barimah explained that the incessant attacks on the judiciary by John Mahama poses a threat to the country’s democracy and ought to stop. “His attacks on the judiciary is also an attack on the constitution since the Constitution recognises the relevance and independence of the Judiciary. Mahama must know that the judiciary is independent and cannot be politicised. When it favoured him in the 2012 election petition he praised the judiciary and defended it against criticism however when it went against him in the 2020 elections petition he has gone berserk, very unfortunate, he stated.
The independence of the judiciary emanates from the 1992 constitution that proclaims that the only body able to outline how the Judiciary functions is the constitution itself, barring any external influence from other branches of government such as the President and Parliament
For ex. President John Dramani Mahama to accuse President Akufo-Addo and his government of piling the Judiciary with judges sympathetic to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is unfortunate.
“Article 128(4), provides that “a person shall not be qualified for appointment as a Justice of the Supreme Court unless he is of high moral character and proven integrity and is of not less than fifteen years’ standing as a lawyer.”
“The import of Article 128(4) or what lawyers refer to as the spirit of the law, is to ensure that every reasonable effort is made to ensure fair-mind people who have demonstrated high morals and integrity ascend the bench with the validation of the Council of State.”
“Former President Mahama must apologize to Ghanaians because his comment indicted the Justices, and the processes of their appointment which among other things include, the advice of the Judicial Council and the Council of State”, he State.
