Peace Watch Ghana’s Executive Director, Madam Nyonkopa Daniels
Peace Watch Ghana’s Executive Director, Madam Nyonkopa Daniels, has called for an end to the “tit-for-tat” political culture, saying it undermines the independence of state institutions.
Madam Daniels made the comments while addressing the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Esaaba Torkornoo.
She noted that the two major political parties, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), are engaged in a cycle of retaliatory actions that negatively impact Ghana’s democracy.
Speaking on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5 FM, Daniels described the situation as “very sad” and “unfortunate.”
She observed that members of both the NDC and NPP are vocal on the issue, with NDC sympathizers commenting extensively while NPP members criticize their own government.
She believes the vindictiveness from both parties has gone on for too long.
The peace advocate lamented that when such events occur, partisans often forget past actions and focus only on the present.
She argued that the current inability to condemn these actions stems from a history of both parties using their power to score political points.
She referenced the removal of former Electoral Commission Chairperson Charlotte Osei, stating that the NPP, upon gaining power, used their political influence to dismiss her, as they had promised.
Madam Daniels expressed concern that this cycle of events is having a major impact on governance, national unity, and stability.
She urged an honest conversation with both political parties, asking them to cease their vindictive actions, as they are not in the best interest of Ghanaians.
She recalled that Charlotte Osei lost all her entitlements and benefits upon her removal, with all efforts to have them restored proving futile.
While expressing unhappiness with the removal of the Chief Justice, Daniels stated, “If this didn’t start from somewhere or there was no precedent, we wouldn’t have arrived at this point.”
She expressed admiration for women appointed to high office, seeing it as an affirmation of their strength and competence. She also advised public officers to adopt a nationalistic approach when discharging their duties.
“When appointed to public office, you don’t engage in actions that make it look as if you are doing your job to favor a political party,” she advised.
Daniels noted that after Justice Torkornoo’s appointment, she was heavily criticized for being perceived as biased, yet she did not alter her conduct. The NDC, then in opposition, had “bitterly complained” about her.
Upon the NDC winning power, Daniels noted, three petitions were sent to the President, which led to her removal after the necessary procedures were triggered.
Daniels concluded by urging political parties to return to the negotiating table to discuss these issues, emphasizing that their vindictiveness and “do me, I do you” approach is harming the country.
