Dismiss politically motivated petition against Acting CJ – Ansa-Asare to Mahama

Former Director of the Ghana School of Law, Dr. Kwaku Ansa-Asare, has called on President John Dramani Mahama to dismiss the petition filed against the Acting Chief Justice, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie.

He described the petition as baseless, politically motivated, and a threat to the integrity and independence of the judiciary.

In an interview with the media, Dr. Ansa-Asare said the petition should not have been entertained in the first place, warning that allowing it to proceed would set a dangerous precedent for Ghana’s judicial system. He noted that frivolous petitions against judicial officers only weaken public confidence in the justice system and embolden politically motivated actors to target independent state institutions.

“The President must act decisively and dismiss this petition outrightly. This is not the time to play politics with the judiciary,” Dr. Ansa-Asare asserted. “The Acting Chief Justice has done nothing that warrants such a probe. Allowing it to continue will only undermine the office and distract from the core duty of upholding justice.”

The former Law School Director stressed that Ghana’s democracy depends on the separation of powers and mutual respect among state institutions. He cautioned that using petitions as tools of intimidation could cripple judicial independence — a key pillar of constitutional governance.

Dr. Ansa-Asare added that while every citizen has the right to petition, such rights must be exercised responsibly and supported by verifiable facts, not speculation or personal grievances. “Our judiciary must not be held hostage by politically motivated complaints. If we continue this trend, we risk eroding the very foundation of justice in our nation,” he said.

He also called on the Ghana Bar Association and civil society to speak out in defense of judicial integrity, stressing that silence in such critical times could embolden further attacks on the country’s legal institutions.

The Acting Chief Justice has also pledged to prioritize Galamsey and drug-related cases.

He also promised tougher sentences and specialized courts to restore confidence in the judiciary.

Speaking at the 44th Annual Conference of the Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana in Accra, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie said the judiciary must be resolute in handling such cases.

“We must ensure that prosecutions related to illegal mining and drug trafficking and abuse are handled with seriousness, impartiality and urgency,” he declared. “The law must be applied without fear or favour. No person, regardless of political affiliation or social status, should be immune from justice.”

He announced plans to revamp specialised courts to fast-track such prosecutions.

According to him, this will eliminate unnecessary delays and show Ghanaians that the law works equally for all.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie raised concern over what he described as weak and inconsistent sentences for environmental and drug-related crimes, which he said undermine deterrence. “Consistency in sentencing is key,” he stressed.