General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fifi Kwetey, has accused President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of a plot to undermine Ghana’s judicial independence by packing the Supreme Court with loyalist judges.
According to him, President Akufo-Addo and Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaba Torkonoo have cooked up a ‘grand conspiracy’ to add five more judges to the Supreme Court, raising serious concerns about the judiciary’s integrity.
This followed a letter from Chief Justice Torkonoo to President Akufo-Addo, requesting the appointment of five new Supreme Court judges: Justice Angelina Mensah Homiah, Justice Eric Kyei Baffour, Justice Edward Amoako Asante, Justice Cyra Pamela C.A Koranteng, and Justice Afia Asare Botwe.
Fifi Kwetey claimed this move was unconstitutional and aimed at transforming the judiciary into an extension of the executive branch.
“President Akufo-Addo, who has already packed the Supreme Court with an unprecedented 15 appointments, is now conspiring with Chief Justice Torkonoo to add five more judges.”
“This isn’t just a political maneuver; it’s an assault on our democracy, a betrayal of public trust, and a direct threat to the integrity of our judicial system,” he declared.
The NDC stressed a disturbing pattern of unconstitutional actions and blatant disregard for established procedures.
The General Secretary explained that despite the Judicial Council’s unanimous rejection of the proposal at a meeting on June 24, 2024, the Chief Justice persisted in advancing the request.
“Our unimpeachable sources tell us that the Judicial Council unanimously stood against the reckless schemes of both the President and the Chief Justice,” he stated.
He emphasized the Council’s insistence that any further appointments be considered by the next government, especially with general elections only six months away.
Fifi Kwetey also underscored a letter from the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) dated April 29, 2024, objecting to President Akufo-Addo’s clandestine approach to appointing additional judges.
The GBA argued that such proposals should be made through constitutional amendments and broader consultations with key stakeholders.
He said, “It is clear that the Chief Justice sought to put forward the names of these judges as though the Attorney-General was proposing them on behalf of President Akufo-Addo.”
He criticized the Chief Justice for overstepping her constitutional boundaries and compromising her independence.
The NDC warned of the dire consequences of politicizing the judiciary, stressing that further packing of the courts could lead to a perception of bias and imbalance, especially in matters involving the party.
The General Secretary called for a halt to any further appointments until after the elections, to preserve the judiciary’s integrity and maintain public trust.
“Imagine the dire consequences of this reckless action. This government stops at nothing and is determined to create a judiciary that is no longer a check on executive power, but a mere extension of it. This is not the Ghana our forefathers fought for; this is not the democracy we pledged to uphold,” he stated.
Fifi Kwetey called on all Ghanaians to rise against what he described as tyranny and to protect the nation’s democracy, judiciary, and future.
He stressed that the actions of the President and his cohorts are not just political games but existential threats to the very fabric of the nation adding, “It is time to stand up, speak out, and demand justice.”
