Communications Officer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi has backed former President, John Mahama for his recent critique of the judiciary.
In a tweet on Monday, the NDC Communicator said John Mahama’s comment about the Judiciary is the “gospel truth”.
In buttressing his boss’ comment, Sammy Gyamfi referenced the latest CDD-Afrobarometer report which cited the judiciary as part of the most corrupt institutions in the country.
“Objective minds know that @JDMahama’s view on dampened public confidence in the judiciary is a fact. The latest CDD-Afrobarometer report bears this fact out. The Minister of National Security has publicly buttressed same and cautioned the judiciary accordingly,” the tweet noted.
Objective minds know that @JDMahama’s view on dampened public confidence in the judiciary is a fact. The latest CDD-Afrobarometer report bears this fact out. The Minister of national security has publicly buttressed same and cautioned the judiciary accordingly. #DameCanGotoHell
— Sammy Gyamfi (@SammyGyamfi_) September 12, 2022
The Former President speaking at the NDC’s Lawyers’ Conference on Sunday, August 28, said it will take a new Chief Justice to repair the ‘broken image’ of the Judiciary.
According to him, the current leadership of the Judiciary lacks what it takes to redeem its sunken image, hence the need for a new Chief Justice.
Mr. Mahama explained that a perceived independent judiciary is a vital element in safeguarding the country’s democracy.
The NDC’s 2020 Presidential Candidate however noted that the current judiciary has become an item of ridicule and mistrust, and therefore the need for a new Chief Justice to restore public confidence in the courts.
“There is, therefore, the urgent need for the Ghanaian Judiciary to work to win the trust and confidence of the citizenry and erase the widely held perception of hostility and political bias in legal proceedings at the highest courts of the land.
“Unfortunately, we have no hope that the current leadership of our Judiciary can lead such a process of change.
“We can only hope, that a new Chief Justice will lead the process to repair the broken image that our Judiciary has acquired over the last few years,” Mahama said.
However, the Attorney-General has responded to John Mahama for his comments against the Judiciary.
Speaking at the Ghana Bar Association’s Annual Conference on Monday, the A-G said John Mahama has developed the habit of criticising the Judiciary unnecessarily.
He described Mr. Mahama’s attitude as deplorable and unbecoming of a former Head of State.
“I am compelled to comment on same in this address because they border on the security of the state and constitute a deliberate pattern of conduct aimed at undermining the independence of the Judiciary, an arm of government whose autonomy is crucial to its proper functioning.
“Such conduct is clearly deplorable, coming from one who has occupied the highest office of President and aspires again to that office. At this moment, it is important for all to note that I express this sentiment not because I stand in opposition to former President Mahama as a politician.
“My dismay is founded more on the fact that I am a lawyer and every lawyer ought to be concerned about these kinds of views expressed by a political leader in this country!,” he said.
