Movement for Change: No law broken in Chief Justice suspension process

The Movement for Change (MFC) has defended President John Mahama’s suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo. They state that no laws have been broken in the review process for her removal.

In a statement on Monday, the MFC said the President’s actions follow the 1992 Constitution. This includes Article 146, which covers the removal of superior court justices.

“The 1992 Constitution is the bedrock of our democracy,” said the MFC. They noted that the President acted on advice from the Council of State. The actions align with procedural guidelines in Article 146.

The MFC described the proceedings as a clear example of due process. They emphasized that the Chief Justice has had a chance to respond to allegations. This is an important part of fairness under the law.

The statement highlighted that setting up a five-member committee was constitutional. The committee will investigate the petition and ensure proper procedures are followed.

The Movement for Change urged fairness and impartiality from the investigative committee. They warned against politicization by parties like NPP and NDC. Such actions could harm credibility and undermine Ghana’s democratic principles.

MFC stressed that defending rule of law means allowing legal processes to proceed without interference. “No one is above the law,” they stated, including high-ranking officials like the President or Chief Justice.

Accountability is vital for democracy, they added, applying equally to all individuals regardless of status or office.

While acknowledging public concerns about transparency, MFC noted current constitutional limits on open hearings in such cases. They called on the Constitutional Review Committee to consider reforms for greater openness in future removal processes.

As work begins, MFC appealed for public calm and trust in constitutional processes. They urged people to resist political agitation or legal misrepresentation during this investigation.

Finally, they reminded everyone that Ghana’s democracy relies not only on elections but also on fair application of laws for all citizens, including government leaders.