Author: Richard Ahiagbah
The ECOWAS Court of Justice’s decision to dismiss all of Justice Torkornoo’s claims is deeply disappointing. It raises serious concerns about Ghana’s democracy and the future independence of our judiciary. It is extremely worrying that a court meant to uphold justice and defend citizens from government abuse has effectively endorsed what many Ghanaians saw as a politically motivated attack on judicial independence.
Ghanaians must remember what happened to former Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo. We witnessed an unprecedented, hurried process, a committee whose outcome seemed predetermined, the public humiliation of a sitting Chief Justice, and a chilling neglect of the constitutional protections meant to safeguard the independence of our institutions.
What the Mahama-NDC government has achieved by removing Chief Justice Torkornoo sends a subtle message to all judges: rule independently at your own peril. This is beyond Justice Torkornoo as an individual; it reflects an executive branch intent on weakening institutions, intimidating independent officials, and consolidating political control over all the branches of government.
While the ECOWAS Court may have issued its ruling, it cannot erase the reality that Ghanaians saw unfold. No legal technicality can justify executive overreach, abuse of power, or the deliberate erosion of constitutional governance.
The struggle of Justice Torkornoo to defend her rights will stand as a pivotal moment in Ghana’s democratic history, representing an act of bravery against political persecution and a reminder that, under President Mahama and the NDC, even the judiciary is not immune to partisan meddling. Ghana’s democracy is strongest when institutions are protected rather than captured for political ends.
Ghanaians, regardless of partisan interests, must speak out against the systemic undermining of judicial independence. More importantly, we must use our displeasure as a rallying point to organize and mobilize to vote the NDC out of power in 2028 and elect a new NPP government led by Dr. Bawumia to restore the independence and autonomy of the judiciary.
This should be the cry of all democrats because a weakened judiciary is a threat to our rights; it is Justice Torkonoo today, but it could be you or your neighbor tomorrow.
The writer is National Communications Director for the New Patriotic Party (NPP).