Investigative journalist and anti-corruption campaigner Manasseh Azure Awuni has called for a reset for the judicial arm of government, a reset he argues must be devoid of political coloration of the two dominant political parties in the country.
He emphasized that this essential transformation the justice system requires must come from within the judiciary itself, initiated by the highest office of the bench, adding that it can only take place through bold and principled leadership at the apex of judicial authority to restore integrity, accountability, and public trust.
Manasseh underscored the point that the recent challenges confronting the judiciary with regard to issues concerning the removal of the former chief justice, Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, and the partisan disagreements surrounding the vetting of the chief justice nominee, go to reflect why the judiciary must distinguish itself and be seen as an independent body devoid of political party influence.
He noted how these political parties turn to act towards the judiciary when they have a certain perception that it is either friendly or hostile towards their party.
“The NPP would not have been so keen on maintaining the status quo in the judiciary if the party hadn’t found the status quo friendly or beneficial to its cause.
“The NDC would not have been so concerned about the status quo if the party hadn’t found the judiciary to be hostile to its cause or in bed with its opponents.”
Manasseh Azure Awuni, Investigative Journalist and anti-corruption campaigner
It can be recalled that ever since the process for the removal of the former chief justice commenced, the opposition New Patriotic Party has opposed every step of the process, including the filing of an injunction by the Member of Parliament for Old-Tafo Constituency, Hon. Vincent Ekow Assafuah, with his legal counsel being the former Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, to halt the entire process.
Some have argued that it is as a result of the NPP’s fond favor with the judicial system being led by the former chief justice; that is why they have tried all possible means to prevent her removal. The argument has also been raised to the effect that the National Democratic Congress has a perception of the judiciary under former Chief Justice Torkornoo’s leadership as not being in favor of their course; that is why they have ensured her removal from the highest office of Chief Justice.
In the mix of these arguments, Manasseh is of the view that observations from objective-minded individuals will show some level of political coloration of the judiciary in the past eight years that made it not reliable for the fair trial of cases.
“To any objective observer of the terrain, however, the judiciary has deteriorated in the last eight years and has assumed a disturbing political posture, especially at the highest level.
“That was not a judiciary that could be relied upon to deliver impartial justice and help strengthen our democracy.”
Manasseh Azure Awuni, Investigative Journalist and anti-corruption campaigner
He further cited the Mo Ibrahim Governance Index to back his assertions, given the ratings of the institution across different periods under different administrations.
“According to the Mo Ibrahim Governance Index, Ghana’s judiciary maintained a score of 100% between 2014 and 2017 (the John Mahama era) in judicial autonomy. From 2018, however, this rating dropped to 50%, where it has remained through 2023 (in the Akufo-Addo era).”
Manasseh Azure Awuni, Investigative Journalist and anti-corruption campaigner
Manasseh further emphasized that it is on the basis of the perception of lost confidence and trust in Ghana’s justice system that he believes there is the need for a “crucial reset” that “ought to be triggered from within the judiciary, from the very top of the bench,” one that is “not in the NDC or NPP way.”
According to him, inasmuch as people may have low confidence and trust in the system, “we still have many conscientious judges who are determined to deliver justice without political and other colorations, but the atmosphere must be created for the good to thrive.”
He therefore emphasized that this crucial reset “must be a charge for the incoming Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, to keep.”
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