News
Supreme Court dismisses another suit against CJ removal process
The Supreme Court dismissed an application by the Centre for Citizenship, Constitutional, and Electoral Systems today by a 4-1 majority decision.
The application is seeking to halt processes triggered by President John Mahama for the removal of the Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
The five-member panel that heard the matter today are Justices Paul Baffoe-Bonnie (Presiding), Issifu Omoro Tanko Amadu, Yonny Kulendi, Henry Anthony Kwofie and Yaw Asare Darko; Justice Yaw Asare Darko dissenting.
The application was deemed as unmeritorious and subsequently dismissed by the Supreme Court.
This is the second suit on the same matter to have been dismissed by the Supreme Court panel on the same day.
CenCES had argued that the President’s action violated constitutional provisions and sought an order to invalidate both the suspension and the ongoing proceedings by the committee of inquiry.
However, the apex court upheld the President’s decision, allowing the committee’s work to continue.
Key Reliefs Sought
Mr Atta-Quartey was seeking five major reliefs from the Supreme Court:
A declaration that under Articles 23, 146(6), and 296(b) & (c) of the Constitution, the President’s discretionary authority to determine the existence of a prima facie case for removing the Chief Justice must be regulated by a published constitutional instrument.
A declaration that the Council of State’s advisory role in such matters must also be governed by a transparent and codified process, subject to a constitutional instrument.
A declaration that the committee of inquiry’s proceedings under Article 146(6) must follow clearly defined procedures, powers, and limitations set out in a constitutional instrument.
An order nullifying all proceedings related to the removal petitions, including the President’s prima facie determination, the suspension of the Chief Justice, and the formation of the inquiry committee, on grounds that they violate Articles 296(c) and 11(7) of the Constitution.
Any other orders or reliefs the Court deems necessary to protect the institutional independence of the Judiciary.
The President’s suspension of the Chief Justice was announced in a statement issued by the Minister in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu.
The action followed three separate petitions seeking her removal, with the President acting in accordance with Article 146(10) of the Constitution.
Troubled and anxious citizens in Damongo of the Savannah Region have expressed concerns about the number of young people, believed to be under the age of 18, involved in ‘shisha’ smoking in pubs and drinking spots within the township.
Eyewitnesses say the minors were seen patronising nightlife venues, where Shisha smoking happen in the open.
The situation has sparked renewed public concern over the enforcement of child protection laws and regulations governing the operations of entertainment centres in the municipality and country as a whole.
An eyewitness, who spoke to The Spectator on conditions of anonymity for security reasons, noted that the situation was becoming increasingly common.
“This is not a one-off incident. It is becoming very common, but residents like us cannot openly report or speak about it because our lives will be at risk,” he said.
Under Ghanaian law, minors were prohibited from patronising Shisha.
Public health experts have consistently warned that shisha use exposes users to harmful substances that can negatively affect brain development, respiratory health, and overall well-being, particularly among young people.
The residents believe the alleged incidents point to broader challenges relating to youth supervision, substance abuse, and weak enforcement of existing regulations and have called on municipal authorities, security agencies, and regulatory bodies to intensify monitoring of pubs and entertainment centres to ensure compliance with the law.
In an effort to address the menace, Mr Salisu Be-Awurbi, the Savannah Regional Minister, has led public education campaigns, engaged security agencies, and supported enforcement actions to address the rising use of illicit substances in the region.
Wura Kelly Seidu Boresah I, the Chief of Damongo, has also called on all stakeholders including parents, community leaders, institutions, and young people to actively support efforts to curb drug abuse, warning that the rising consumption of hard drugs poses a serious health threat to the future of the youth in the Savannah Region.
He also cautioned individuals involved in the sale and distribution of illicit drugs to immediately desist from the practice, stressing that offenders will face arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law.
From Geoffrey Buta, Damongo, Savannah Region
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Dr Theresa Baffour, an advocate for ending violence and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SAHM SAHW Foundation, has said that society plays a critical and pivotal role in breaking the cycle of domestic violence.
According to her, domestic violence is a major contributor of making women, who are mostly the victims, mentally derailed and unable to engage in economic activities.
She said this when the foundation called on the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, to solicit support for the initiative by the “Strong and Healthy Minds, Strong and Healthy Women” (SAHM SAHW) to combat domestic violence within the Ga State.
The visit was occasioned by the fact that domestic violence cases have become quite prevalent in the Ga communities and is retarding growth.
According to her, the canker was an impediment to national development because the victims were usually tortured and would have to go through series of therapies to return to the right state of mind.
Dr Baffour mentioned that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) places a mental toll on women, and was, therefore, important to break the cycle through comprehensive mental health support, crisis intervention and empowerment programmes in communities with high rates of GBV.
This intervention, she underscored, would help in empowering the denigrated victim of domestic violence to soundly heal, build and thrive.
Dr Baffour added that the initiative would provide holistic, trauma-informed mental health care and advocacy for young women affected by domestic violence.
According to her, the above statement would create safe spaces for healing and equipping them with entrepreneurial skills for renewed hope and empowered life.
The Ga Mantse pledged his support for the laudable initiative to combat domestic violence and also acknowledged the need to address it in the Ga State.
Further endorsement came from Justice Julia Naa-Yarley Adjei Amoah, Chief of Staff at the Office of the Ga Mantse, as she commended the team of SAHM SAHW Foundation for taking a bold step to end the canker in the Greater Accra.
She added that it was a step in the right direction to save vulnerable women from torture, stress and emotional abuse.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah
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