The suspension of the Ghana Chief Justice has sparked controversy, with some pointing out the hypocrisy of politicians who supported the removal of other officials but are now opposing this move. The removal of Charlotte Osei as the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission and Daniel Domelevo as the Auditor-General has set a precedent that is now being followed with the Chief Justice.
The question remains: what was wrong with removing these officials yesterday is still wrong today. The judiciary, the only independent arm of government, has now been politicized and is subject to the whims of the president. It’s surprising that those who supported the removal of the EC boss and the Auditor-General are now opposing the suspension of the Chief Justice.
This selective approach to democracy and the rule of law is concerning. It’s essential to defend the principles of democracy and the rule of law consistently, rather than picking and choosing when it’s convenient. The politicization of key institutions can have far-reaching consequences for the country.
The removal of the CHRAJ boss, Lauretta Lamptey, by John Mahama in 2015 is also cited as an example of this trend. It’s crucial to learn from these experiences and ensure that the independence of institutions is protected. Alexander Afriyie