News
Supreme Court throws out four cases challenging Chief Justice Torkonoo’s Removal
The Supreme Court has dismissed all four suits challenging the removal of Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Torkonoo from office as Chief Justice.
The court delivered its rulings earlier this morning, ending the legal challenge at the domestic level.
This follows last week’s judgement by the ECOWAS Court, which also rejected applications seeking to overturn Justice Torkonoo’s removal.
Each of the four cases filed at the Supreme Court argued against the processes that led to Justice Torkonoo’s exit. The court, however, found no legal basis to grant relief and dismissed each application in its entirety.
In a brief statement by the Deputy Attorney-General Jusrice Srem-Sai after the rulings, he expressed appreciation to the legal team.
“Gratitude to our team of State Attorneys and members of staff,” he posted on Facebook, acknowledging their role in defending the state’s position through both ECOWAS and Supreme Court proceedings.
Background
Justice Gertrude Torkonoo was removed from office as Chief Justice following proceedings initiated earlier this year.
The move triggered multiple legal challenges, including four separate suits at the Supreme Court and petitions before the ECOWAS Court of Justice.
Both courts have now ruled against the challengers.
Last week, the ECOWAS Court dismissed the regional applications, and this morning’s Supreme Court decision closes the matter in Ghana.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Director of the Public Health Division of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has urged Ghanaians to remain vigilant and observe good hygiene during the flooding and rainy season to prevent a cholera outbreak.
According to him, although flooding in some parts of the country has subsided, the risk of cholera remains because the conditions that promote the spread of the disease still exist.
“The risk of cholera still exists,” Dr. Asiedu-Bekoe said, explaining that cholera is closely linked to unsafe drinking water and poor sanitation.
Speaking on 3 FM on Thursday, he cautioned the public against becoming complacent a few days or weeks after the floods, stressing that people should continue to be careful about the food they eat and the water they drink.
“I want to urge Ghanaians to be careful what we eat and drink. Let’s not assume that because the flood came last week, we can lower our guard,” he said.
Dr. Asiedu-Bekoe noted that countries with access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation have largely eliminated cholera, adding that Ghana still has challenges in those areas.
He therefore advised the public to maintain high standards of personal hygiene, especially by washing their hands regularly with soap and clean water.
According to him, handwashing remains the most effective and affordable way to reduce the spread of cholera and other infectious diseases.
“The most cost-effective intervention is handwashing with soap and water,” he said.
According to him “That does not depend on whether there are floods or not. Make sure you wash your hands regularly with soap and water.”
He called on Ghanaians to maintain clean surroundings and practise proper sanitation to reduce the risk of disease outbreaks during the rainy season.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Government of Ghana has strongly condemned the killing of a Ghanaian national in South Africa and called for a swift investigation to bring those responsible to justice.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, July 1, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs identified the deceased as 40 year old Mr Bashiru Isak, who was fatally shot in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, on Monday, June 30, during anti immigrant demonstrations linked to ongoing xenophobic attacks.
The Ministry described the incident as a senseless act of violence and expressed deep shock and sadness over his death.
It noted that the Government condemned, in the strongest terms, the growing wave of xenophobic attacks targeting African nationals, including Ghanaians, in South Africa.
According to the Ministry, the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria, acting on its instructions, has formally lodged Ghana’s protest with South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation and filed a complaint with the South African Police Service after confirming the identity of the deceased and informing his family.
The statement disclosed that an autopsy had been conducted on the body at the request of the Government of Ghana.
The Ministry called on the South African authorities to carry out a full, transparent and speedy investigation that would lead to the arrest and prosecution of those behind the killing.
It urged the South African Government to strengthen protection for Ghanaians and other foreign nationals living in affected communities.
The Ministry stressed that Ghana expected South Africa to uphold its international obligations by guaranteeing the safety, dignity and rights of all foreign nationals within its borders.
It recalled that Ghana had already submitted a petition to the African Union Commission over xenophobic attacks against African nationals in South Africa and expressed hope that the continental body would treat the matter as a priority at its next statutory meeting.
Meanwhile, the Ministry revealed that arrangements were underway to repatriate Mr Isak’s body to Ghana for burial.
It extended its condolences to the bereaved family and advised Ghanaians in South Africa who did not take part in previous government repatriation exercises to remain vigilant, avoid high risk areas and contact the Ghana High Commission through its emergency telephone lines whenever they faced danger.
The Ministry reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to pursuing diplomatic, consular and multilateral efforts to protect the lives and welfare of its citizens abroad and prevent similar attacks in the future.
By: Jacob Aggrey
