MP Rebukes Commonwealth Lawyers Over Call to Reinstate Suspended Chief Justice
Upper Manya Krobo MP, Bismark Tetteh Nyarko, has strongly rejected calls by Commonwealth legal bodies for the reinstatement of suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, insisting that Ghana’s judicial processes remain a sovereign matter.
His comments follow a joint statement issued on August 14 by the Bar Council of England and Wales together with the Commonwealth Lawyers Association, urging the Ghanaian government to reinstate the Chief Justice and ensure due legal process in the ongoing impeachment case.
Speaking on Channel One Newsroom on Sunday, August 17, the NDC lawmaker said it was inappropriate for foreign institutions to interfere in Ghana’s constitutional affairs.
“It is unacceptable. Ghana is no longer a British colony, and for a Commonwealth body to instruct our Attorney General to reinstate the Chief Justice is unwarranted. Our constitution already provides the procedures for handling such matters,” Nyarko said.
He maintained that as long as the country is following its constitutional path, external associations have no role in determining the outcome.
Meanwhile, Attorney General Dr. Dominic Ayine has also responded to the concerns raised by the international legal groups. He emphasised that the suspension of the Chief Justice remains in line with the 1992 Constitution and will stay in place until the inquiry committee completes its work and presents a report to President John Dramani Mahama.
Dr. Ayine further dismissed suggestions of political or executive interference, stressing that the process is guided strictly by law and due process.
