Report By: Ishmael Barfi
A collective of esteemed legal professionals, operating under the name Lawyers in Search of Democracy (LINSOD), has expressed its support for President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to suspend Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, deeming the action constitutional while accusing the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) of exhibiting partisanship and inconsistency.
During a press conference in Accra on April 30, 2025, LINSOD’s president, Mr. Eric Delanyo Alifo, Esq., commended President Mahama for his approach to the situation, stating that his adherence to Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution demonstrates a strong commitment to due process and the rule of law.
The President’s actions were taken upon the advice of the Council of State, ensuring full compliance with constitutional mandates, thereby showcasing his respect for legal procedures and governance.
The suspension followed the submission of three petitions by citizens alleging misconduct and incompetence on the part of the Chief Justice, leading to the establishment of a committee to investigate these claims, as required by the Constitution.
LINSOD criticized a recent resolution from the GBA that called for the revocation of the Chief Justice’s suspension, labeling it as ‘baseless,’ ‘politically motivated,’ and ‘procured under pressure,’ especially since it was reportedly passed by fewer than 50 members out of over 8,000 lawyers nationwide.
Alifo remarked on the GBA’s shift from a previously balanced statement on April 24 to a now questionable stance, urging the Bar Association to clarify whether it serves the interests of all lawyers or acts as a political instrument for the NPP.
Furthermore, LINSOD challenged the GBA for its historical silence regarding alleged constitutional violations during the previous Akufo-Addo administration, including incidents where thugs disrupted a courtroom in Kumasi, endangering a pregnant judge, and the removal of a Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, as well as an Auditor General.
Public protests were suppressed through judicial interventions and the excessive force of security forces.
Four significant traditional regions were deprived of their representation in Parliament, while members of the NPP, dressed in security uniforms, assaulted a sitting Member of Parliament.
Judges were reassigned in the midst of ongoing cases, and defendants were unjustly denied bail for extended periods.
Throughout these events, the Ghana Bar Association appeared to be inactive or deliberately oblivious, only raising its concerns when a government from the NDC was in power.
LINSOD urged President Mahama to remain steadfast and to adhere to due process, undeterred by what it described as “politically motivated resolutions.”
Source: www.thenewindependentonline.com
