We should put a padlock on some people’s mouths

The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Edudzi Tameklo, has launched a scathing criticism against the former President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), Sam Okudzeto, over his comments on the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo.

Sam Okudzeto, a senior lawyer, had raised concerns about the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo, warning that although the move may be legal, it could send troubling signals to the international community and deter potential investors from engaging with Ghana.

On Tuesday, President John Dramani Mahama suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkonoo following the determination of a prima facie case in three petitions filed for her removal from office. To investigate the matter further, the president established a five-member committee chaired by Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, a Supreme Court Justice.

While the suspension is backed by constitutional provisions, Mr. Okudzeto cautioned that the lack of clarity in Ghana’s constitutional framework regarding the use of presidential discretionary powers could lead to unintended consequences.

Commenting on the issue in a media interview, Mr. Okudzeto expressed concern about what he described as significant loopholes in Ghana’s 1992 Constitution. 

He noted that although the Constitution empowers the president to take action in certain situations, such as suspending a high-ranking judicial official, it fails to provide clear guidelines on how such powers should be exercised.

“When discretionary power is granted, there must be clear indications on how it will be exercised. Unfortunately, that is lacking,” he said.

He suggested that such actions should be governed by legislation or a constitutional instrument to ensure transparency and safeguards against potential misuse of power.

The former GBA president warned that the suspension of the Chief Justice regardless of its constitutional basis could severely damage the country’s international reputation.

“When you suspend a Chief Justice, the signal it sends to the international community is quite serious,” Okudzeto said. “I can assure you that many investors will hesitate to invest in a country with such a situation.”

However, Edudzi Tameklo, a trained lawyer and Director of Legal Affairs of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), stated in an interview with TV3 that Sam Okudzeto lacked the moral authority to question the ongoing process involving Chief Justice Torkonoo.

“Which name did you just mention? Was it the senior lawyer who, after a judge had set aside the processes leading to the suspension of Sosu’s license, went on to attack the judge? Is that the man talking?

“There are some people, with the greatest respect, whose mouths should be padlocked. Was he not on the Council of State that advised Nana Akufo-Addo to appoint Apeahene as an Electoral Commission member? Is he the one talking? Please, we have accorded a lot of people great respect, and they shouldn’t take that for granted with the greatest respect.”

KA

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