A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Communication Team, Hamza Suhuyini, has sharply criticised former Chief Justice and Council of State member, Justice Sophia Akuffo, for her stance on the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.
The high-profile dismissal, which was effected by President John Dramani Mahama in accordance with the recommendations of a constitutional committee, has been a subject of intense debate. Justice Akuffo had previously labelled the process as “unjust” and a “troubling” development for Ghana’s judicial system.
In her condemnation, Justice Akuffo questioned whether the allegations against Justice Torkornoo were substantial enough to warrant her removal. However, Mr. Suhuyini countered this argument, suggesting that Justice Akuffo’s emotional connection to the matter had compromised her professional judgment.
“Apart from her intellectual capability, when it comes to her convictions, she states them as she believes them to be, and I respect her for that. But on this particular matter, I think that she allowed her own emotional affiliations to betray her legal knowledge and appreciation”
Hamza Suhuyini, NDC Communications Team Member
Mr. Suhuyini delved deeper into the legal aspects of the removal process, particularly addressing the issue of leaked information. He expressed surprise at Justice Akuffo’s position, stating that the law is clear on the matter.
“There are many cases which state clearly that even if the petition should leak or the processes leading to the removal leak, it does not nullify the process. So, I was struggling to understand why she was questioning the legality or the sanity of the process, simply because her appearance as a witness before the committee leaked.
“I am surprised because that was the basis upon which she tagged the whole process as unfair”
Hamza Suhuyini, NDC Communications Team Member
He further argued that the charges against the former Chief Justice were indeed grave enough to justify her dismissal, despite the impression created by some, stressing that justice delivery is an essential component of Ghana’s democracy and must be upheld in all contexts.
“What we may consider minor charges to remove a JCR president or an SRC president of a university should be enough reason to remove a Chief Justice,” he said, emphasising the critical role of the Chief Justice in a democratic society, contending that minor offenses in other contexts could be significant enough to warrant such an action against the office.
A Changing Political Landscape
The political commentary from Mr. Suhuyini extended beyond the judicial matter to the broader electoral landscape in Ghana. His remarks came in the wake of the NDC’s recent victory in the Akwatia by-election on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.
The NDC’s candidate, Bernard Bediako, secured a decisive win, polling 18,199 votes out of 33,819 valid ballots, while the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate, Solomon Kwame Asumadu, managed to get 15,235 votes. The Liberal Party of Ghana’s (LPG) candidate, Owusu Patrick, obtained 82 votes, with 303 rejected ballots.
“The defeat in Akwatia is a reminder of the abyss the NPP finds itself in, and as a serious party, they must begin to do self-introspection and not think that the only way to solve their problem is the election of a flagbearer”
Hamza Suhuyini, NDC Communications Team Member
Mr. Suhuyini declared that the NDC’s objective is not merely to win elections but to fundamentally shift the balance of power and ensure the NPP loses its place as a dominant political force in the country. He argued that the NPP represents a significant threat to Ghana’s democratic process and national development.
“The NPP is the greatest danger to this country. We have been consistently saying this since 1992, and they have demonstrated that in the last eight years” he added, calling on more Ghanaians to wake and realise the truth before their eyes.
The recent electoral outcome and the ensuing political statements highlight the heightened tensions and strategic manoeuvres between the two major political parties as they position themselves for future elections.
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