The New Patriotic Party’s Director of Communications, Richard Ahiagbah, has called on a future government to re examine what he describes as the abuse of former Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo’s rights, following the dismissal of her claims by the ECOWAS Court of Justice.
Mr Ahiagbah said the court’s decision to dismiss all claims brought by Justice Torkornoo was disappointing and should prompt reflection among Ghanaians who value judicial independence and constitutional governance.
In a statement, he argued that the ruling raises broader questions about the effectiveness of regional judicial mechanisms in protecting public officials from what he described as targeted persecution, as well as concerns about the state of Ghana’s democracy.
According to him, the court’s primary responsibility is to uphold justice and protect citizens from abuse of power. However, he said the court failed to address what many Ghanaians viewed as a political attack on judicial independence.
“Ghanaians must not forget what transpired. We saw an unprecedented and hurried process against Chief Justice Torkornoo, with a committee whose conclusion seemed predetermined before its proceedings concluded, the deliberate public humiliation of one of the highest judicial officers in the land,” he said.
Mr Ahiagbah further alleged that constitutional safeguards intended to protect the independence of state institutions had been disregarded.
“No ruling can erase what we, Ghanaians, witnessed. No legal technicality, however clever, can cover up the Mahama administration’s overreach, abuse of power and calculated attempt to erode constitutional governance,” he stated.
He claimed that the matter extended beyond Justice Torkornoo as an individual, arguing that it reflected what he described as a broader pattern of executive conduct under President John Mahama and the National Democratic Congress.
Mr Ahiagbah alleged that such actions weaken institutions, intimidate independent officials and increase political influence over branches of government that are expected to operate independently.
He described Justice Torkornoo’s efforts to defend her rights and office as a significant moment in Ghana’s democratic history and said her actions would be remembered as an act of courage.
“I hope that a future government will take all necessary steps to re examine and address the clear injustice inflicted upon Justice Torkornoo,” he said.
He added that Ghana should not allow the matter to end without accountability.
Mr Ahiagbah also called on Ghanaians, regardless of their political affiliation, to speak out against what he termed the weakening of judicial independence, warning that a weakened judiciary poses a risk to all citizens.
He urged supporters of democratic governance to channel their concerns into political action ahead of the 2028 general election.
“Therefore, I urge all democrats to channel this rightful anger into meaningful political action, including organising, mobilising and voting the NDC out of power in 2028, so Ghana can once again have a government that strengthens governance institutions rather than exploits them,” he said.
Story By Martha Seyram Jackson || Metro Digital
