The Director of Communications of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has expressed disappointment over the decision of the ECOWAS Court of Justice to dismiss all claims brought by former Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo against the Republic of Ghana.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, June 25, Mr Ahiagbah argued that the ruling raises broader questions about the ability of regional judicial institutions to protect public officials from what he described as politically motivated actions.
According to him, the court’s decision should prompt reflection among Ghanaians who value judicial independence and constitutional governance.
“The decision by the ECOWAS Court of Justice to dismiss all claims filed by former Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo is deeply disappointing. It calls for reflection by every Ghanaian who believes in the independence of our judiciary,” he stated.
Mr Ahiagbah maintained that concerns surrounding the circumstances of Justice Torkornoo’s removal remain unresolved despite the regional court’s ruling.
He alleged that the process leading to her removal was characterised by undue haste and a failure to uphold constitutional safeguards intended to protect the independence of the judiciary.
“We saw an unprecedented and hurried process against Chief Justice Torkornoo, with a committee whose conclusion seemed predetermined before its proceedings concluded, the deliberate public humiliation of one of the highest judicial officers in the land, and a brazen disregard for the constitutional safeguards designed precisely to protect the independence of our institutions,” he wrote.
The NPP Communications Director further argued that the developments surrounding the former Chief Justice’s removal could have long-term implications for the independence and credibility of Ghana’s democratic institutions.
According to him, the episode serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting state institutions from political interference and preserving the constitutional principles that underpin democratic governance.
Mr Ahiagbah stressed that judicial independence remains a cornerstone of democracy and an essential safeguard for the rights and freedoms of all citizens.
His comments come in the wake of the ECOWAS Court of Justice’s decision to dismiss all claims filed by Justice Torkornoo and decline her request for damages against the Republic of Ghana, effectively bringing the regional legal challenge to a close.
