The Progressive People’s Party (PPP) has thrown its support behind President John Dramani Mahama’s suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.
In a statement signed by its National Chairman, Nana Ofori Owusu, the PPP insisted that the President’s decision was lawful and firmly rooted in the dictates of the 1992 Constitution.
The party claimed the move followed due constitutional process, including consultation with the Council of State and a prima facie case against the Chief Justice.
“Due process demands strict compliance with legal procedures and the protection of individual rights. It is evident to us that President Mahama acted entirely within his constitutional mandate,” the party stated, referring to Article 146 of the Constitution, which governs the suspension and removal of justices.
The PPP warned against politicizing the matter, stressing that no individual, regardless of position, should be immune from accountability.
“Defending high-ranking officials must not come at the cost of undermining constitutional checks and balances,” the release said.
GBA
In a particularly scathing rebuke the PPP aimed at the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), it accused the legal body of hypocrisy and double standards.
According to the party, the GBA’s public criticism of the Chief Justice’s suspension is “deeply troubling” and suggests a selective application of the law.
“As a body of legal professionals, the GBA should be the foremost defender of due process — not its detractor,” the PPP argued, adding that its stance could dangerously erode public trust in the justice system.
While acknowledging the rights of citizens and organizations to campaign for the Chief Justice’s reinstatement, the PPP cautioned that such advocacy must not override the supremacy of constitutional procedure.
It argued that the Chief Justice was allowed to respond to allegations, thereby affirming the President’s adherence to justice and human rights.