A respected constitutional lawyer, Raymond Bidema, has come to the defense of President John Mahama following accusations that the President violated constitutional procedures in suspending Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.
In an interview with Tutuwaa Danso on Starr Today, Mr. Bidema responded to concerns raised by the Minority in Parliament, who claimed that the President had sidestepped Article 296 of the 1992 Constitution.
He explained that President Mahama acted in full accordance with the law.
“If you look at the Constitution, it is very clear on how matters of this nature should be handled. Whenever there is a petition against the Chief Justice, the President must, in consultation with the Council of State, determine whether a prima facie case exists,” he said.
He further stated that once a prima facie case is established, the President has the constitutional authority under Article 146(6) to decide whether to suspend the Chief Justice or not.
Mr. Bidema emphasized that the Minority’s interpretation fails to consider the full scope of the President’s powers under the Constitution.
Meanwhile, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is threatening to hit the streets in protest.
The party’s National Organizer, Henry Nana Boakye, has accused the President of pursuing a politically motivated agenda and warned that the move threatens Ghana’s democracy.
In a statement posted on social media, he claimed the decision to suspend the Chief Justice was part of a promise made by President Mahama to his party ahead of the 2024 elections.
“We must speak out, protest, agitate and demonstrate against mahama’s evil agenda against the judiciary,” he posted,” he posted.
According to the NPP, the suspension undermines the independence of the judiciary and is aimed at weakening democratic institutions.
