The Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, has cautioned that Ghana may be creating a “dangerous precedent” in its approach to constitutional issues, especially concerning the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, he stressed that the constitution must not be treated as “mere letters,” warning that bypassing due process could have lasting consequences. He noted that concerns about the matter were not raised by the Minority alone, but also by former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo.
According to him, the basis for Justice Torkornoo’s removal was questionable, arguing that proper investigations and an Auditor-General’s report should have come before any action by Parliament. He found it troubling that her dismissal occurred despite no adverse findings.
Mr. Baffour Awuah also raised alarm over what he described as growing executive interference in the judiciary and called for major reforms to protect judicial independence.
“I think our judiciary needs serious reform, away from executive control. The interference is real,” he said.
Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie was sworn in as Chief Justice on November 17, 2025, after Justice Torkornoo was removed in September following a committee’s findings of misconduct.
“The path we are on is unclear,” he warned. “We must not set a dangerous precedent, because the constitution is not just letters.”
