The Commonwealth Lawyers Association’s statement calling on President John Mahama to reinstate suspended Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkonoo, is intolerable and baseless, Deputy Education Minister, Dr. Clement Apaak, has said.
In a strongly worded post on social media, Dr. Apaak observed that the President in whose administration he served could not be directed by the group to take such a decision, describing the Lawyers’ move as offensive to Ghana’s constitution.
He reminded the United Kingdom-based association that Ghana was a sovereign country led by a president who was only answerable to his compatriots “as mandated by our constitution”.
“Ghanaians will not tolerate such nonsensical colonialist-induced insults, disguised as demands, from you. Never! You can not order our President to “Immediately and without delay reinstate the Chief Justice of Ghana.” Such impudence!”
He continued: “Ghana is not a lawless banana Republic. We have laws and are governed by a constitution. Our President has at all times conducted himself lawfully in the matter you have been contracted to make your business.”
Dr. Apaak, who also represents the people of Builsa South in Parliament, said he was surprised that the association was displeased with a constitutional action. He stressed that President Mahama had no interest in violating the law.
Dr. Apaak’s statement follows a release put out by the Bar Council of England and Wales and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association expressing “serious concern” over Justice Torkonoo’s suspension by President Mahama.
They observed that the president’s decision was “in clear breach” of Ghana’s constitution, urging him to reinstate the embattled Chief Justice “without delay”.
The Commonwealth lawyers further appealed for fair and due process during the suspended Chief Justice’s probe.
Dr. Apaak hit out at the organisations, telling them they had been deceived into damaging their reputation with baseless demands.
He urged them to withdraw their “unjustified statement” and render an apology to the Ghanaian public.
