The Member of Parliament for Suame, John Darko, has expressed strong concerns over the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Torkornoo by President John Dramani Mahama, calling the decision questionable and potentially damaging to Ghana’s democracy.
Speaking during an interview on Oyerepa Breakfast Time on April 23, 2025, the MP criticized the rationale behind the suspension, arguing that if the same standard were applied uniformly, the President himself could be subject to similar scrutiny.
“There are serious issues that need proper investigation, yet we’re removing the Chief Justice over a trip with her daughter?” Darko questioned. “Meanwhile, the President travels with his son on the presidential jet, and the son holds no official government position. Has he been fired?”
Darko underscored the Chief Justice’s importance in the nation’s governance, ranking her among the top four most significant public figures alongside the President, Vice President, and Speaker of Parliament.
He warned that the move could undermine public trust in democratic institutions and set a troubling precedent.
“This is more than a political decision—it strikes at the heart of our democracy,” he said. “If we allow this to pass unchallenged, what message are we sending to future generations? That we stood by and watched democracy erode under our watch?”
The Suame MP concluded by calling on Ghanaians and leaders alike to reflect deeply on the implications of such decisions and work to uphold the principles of justice and democratic integrity.
