Government spokesperson Raymond Tamekloe has accused the New Patriotic Party (NPP) of hypocrisy in its demand for the resignation of the Chief Justice over comments he made on matters of national interest.
Speaking to Isaac Addae on Morning Starr on Starr FM, Raymond Tamekloe questioned why the NPP is now calling for the Chief Justice to resign when its leading members previously praised and cited him when his comments were critical of the previous government.
He said the NPP had, on several occasions, relied on the Chief Justice’s comments to support its political arguments, particularly when he spoke about the failure of the previous government to tackle galamsey.
“When the Chief Justice expressed his opinion on matters of galamsey, which according to him, this current government has failed in tackling, the NPP were hailing him. They referenced him on several platforms. They did not call for his resignation,” Raymond Tamekloe said.
He cited the Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, as one of the NPP figures who had previously praised the Chief Justice for speaking truth to power.
“The last of Honourable Annoh-Dompreh, Minority Chief Whip of the NPP in Parliament, in several instances, held and referenced the Chief Justice for speaking truth to power. What has changed?” he asked.
According to Mr Tamekloe, the NPP’s position has now changed simply because the Chief Justice has made comments that appear favourable to the current government.
“What has changed all of a sudden? The Chief Justice can no longer speak truth to power? All of a sudden, the Chief Justice must be gagged? What kind of stinking hypocrisy is this?” he questioned.
He argued that the Chief Justice remains a Ghanaian and has the right to express his views on issues affecting the country.
Mr Tamekloe maintained that the same standards used by the NPP when the Chief Justice criticised the previous administration should also apply when he comments positively on developments under the current government.
“They feel like certain rules apply to them when it is convenient for them and another set of rules apply to the rest of us,” he said.
He therefore rejected calls for the Chief Justice to resign, insisting that his comments should not become a basis for questioning his continued service in office.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Pamela Quayeson
