NDC Descends On Akufo-Addo, CJ! …Accuses Them on Alleged Plot to Pack Supreme Court

Report by Bernard K DADZIE
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is accusing President Akufo-Addo and Chief Justice Gertrude
Torkonoo of conspiring to appoint five additional judges to the Supreme Court, in a move they claim is
unconstitutional and a threat to democracy.
According to the NDC, this attempt to pack the Supreme Court with loyalists of the ruling party is a blatant
disregard for the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary. The party demands that the President
immediately halt any further appointments to the Supreme Court and adhere to constitutional processes.
This was during a press conference in Accra yesterday,
The NDC also called for transparency and accountability in the selection of judges, and for the Chief
Justice to uphold the independence of the judiciary by resisting Executive pressure. The party demanded
a reversal of the ‘unconstitutional’ appointment request and engagement with civil society and the public
to review the judicial appointment process.
During a press conference, the General Secretary of NDC,  Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, stated that the party has
evidence of a letter from the Chief Justice to the President, requesting the appointment of five new judges
to the Supreme Court, in violation of Article 128(1) of the 1992 Constitution.
The General Secretary alleged that this move is part of a larger scheme to pack the courts with loyalists
of the ruling party, citing the appointment of 15 judges to the Supreme Court by President Akufo-Addo
since 2017.
He emphasized that this development has sparked concerns about the erosion of democratic institutions
and the integrity of the judiciary in Ghana. The NDC urged all Ghanaians to rise up and defend
democracy, justice, and the rule of law.
"The actions of President Akufo-Addo and his cohorts are not just political games; they are existential
threats to the very fabric of our nation," Kwetey stated. "We must protect our democracy, our judiciary,
and our future. We cannot, and we must not, remain silent."
The NDC's accusations have sparked a heated debate about the independence of the judiciary and the
rule of law in Ghana. The party's demands have been met with support from civil society organizations
and legal professionals, who have expressed concerns about the politicization of the judiciary.
As the situation unfolds, Ghanaians are calling for transparency and accountability in the judicial
appointment process. The NDC's stance has highlighted the need for a review of the constitutional
framework governing judicial appointments to ensure that the independence of the judiciary is protected.