Back off from Ghana’s judicial matter – Bismark Tetteh to UK, Commonwealth lawyers 

Member of Parliament for Upper Manya Krobo, Bismark Tetteh Nyarko, has criticised the involvement of Commonwealth legal bodies in Ghana’s ongoing judicial processes, particularly the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo.

His comments come in response to a joint statement issued on August 14 by the Bar Council of England and Wales and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association. The statement urged the Government of Ghana to “immediately reinstate” the suspended Chief Justice and ensure due process in the ongoing impeachment proceedings.

Speaking on Channel One’s Newsroom, which was keenly monitored by Today.com.gh, Mr. Nyarko rejected the demand and defended Ghana’s sovereignty.

“It is very unacceptable because what they should know is that we are no longer a colony of the British, so for a commonwealth association to authorise our attorney general and minister of justice to reinstate the suspended CJ is uncalled for. Our constitution has outlined how such matters should be addressed,” he said.

The NDC legislator argued that Ghana’s legal framework already provides the necessary safeguards for addressing petitions against high-ranking officials, including the Chief Justice.

“So far as we are adhering to our constitutional provisions, the association should leave the matter to be determined. We are capable of determining our own issues. So I think that was a joke; we are not taking it seriously,” he added.

Attorney General Dr. Dominic Ayine earlier on responded to the Bar Council of England and Wales and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association. In his response, he explained that Chief Justice Torkornoo’s suspension will remain in place until the inquiry committee completes its work and submits a report to President John Dramani Mahama.

Dr. Ayine further said that the process is firmly grounded in Ghana’s 1992 Constitution and dismissed allegations of executive interference. According to him, the suspension strictly follows constitutional provisions, and the government has not acted outside the law in handling the three petitions filed against the Chief Justice.