The Advocacy for Citizens Ghana (ACG) has raised alarm over an alleged attempt by the current government to remove the Chief Justice, a move they claim is politically motivated and undermines Ghana’s judicial independence.
The organization warns that such an action if carried out, could erode the nation’s democratic foundations and set a dangerous precedent for political interference in the judiciary.
ACG calls upon the Judicial Service of Ghana, the Ghana Bar Association, and all citizens committed to democracy to stand firm against any effort to compromise the integrity of the judiciary. More urgently, the group implores Supreme Court justices to resist pressure that could lead to the politicization of their institution or executive overreach affecting judicial tenure.
A Constitutional Crisis?
Ghana’s 1992 Constitution unequivocally safeguards the independence of the judiciary. Key provisions highlight the judiciary’s autonomy:
– Article 125(1): Justice shall be administered by an independent judiciary, accountable only to the Constitution.
– Article 125(3): Judicial authority rests solely with the courts, not the President, Parliament, or any external body.
Article 127(1):
– The judiciary must remain free from interference, with no individual or authority exerting control over its decisions.
Legal experts warn that allowing the removal of the Chief Justice through a petition under Article 146(1)—allegedly led by ruling government sympathizers—risks undermining public confidence in the courts. Critics argue that this would reduce judicial independence, turning the judiciary into a tool for partisan interests, contradicting Ghana’s constitutional safeguards.
Defending the Judiciary’s Legacy
For over three decades, Ghana’s judiciary has stood as a pillar of democracy, ensuring fair trials and upholding the rule of law. Any attempt to weaken this institution, ACG warns, puts the stability of the Fourth Republic at risk.
The group maintains that judges should not face removal based solely on political transitions, emphasizing that Ghana’s democracy thrives when institutions remain neutral and protected from shifts in political power.
A National Call to Action
As tensions mount, ACG urges all stakeholders—especially legal professionals and Supreme Court justices—to publicly oppose any threat to the judiciary’s autonomy. The organization stresses that safeguarding judicial independence is crucial to preserving the nation’s democratic integrity.
The battle for Ghana’s democracy, they warn, must be fought in the courts, not dictated by political interests.
