National Coordinator of the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, has criticised the Minority in Parliament for their approach to the petition against Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo. According to Vanderpuye, the Minority is rushing to make themselves relevant by appealing to religious and traditional leaders to intervene in the matter.
The Minority caucus maintains that the petition seeking the Chief Justice’s removal is baseless and doesn’t meet constitutional requirements. However, Vanderpuye believes their reaction is predictable and driven by desperation to remain significant in the public space.
“I think that they are too much in haste to be relevant, because of their micro nature. They are too much in haste to make themselves heard,” Vanderpuye said. He emphasized that the constitutional process must run its full course without interference, citing clear guidelines for handling such matters.
“I will tell them to allow the constitutional process to engage itself fully, and when it has run its full toll, then we shall all know whether Chief Justice Torkornoo has a case or not,” he added.
While Vanderpuye expressed respect for the Chief Justice, he hinted that her image may not be as flawless as perceived, citing reports from within the judiciary. “I have a lot of respect for the Chief Justice. Sometimes you see her and she portrays an angelic face, other times something else. The things some of us hear… will tell you that all that glitters is not gold. She is not as saintly as some of us have perceived her to be.”
Vanderpuye also noted that the Minority’s moves were expected and already factored into the government’s anticipation of the political terrain. “What I want them to understand is that as soon as they start thinking, we have already thought about the steps they will take. Because they are very predictable and so they allow you to determine what action they will take in every instant.”
The MP for Damongo, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has defended the Minority’s approach, stating that their actions are grounded in democratic principles, contrary to claims of desperation.
