President Nana Akufo-Addo has described the tagging of judges, along political lines, by former President John Mahama as dangerous and a brazen attack on the independence of the judiciary. According to him, the concept of “NPP” and “NDC” judges is new to the Ghanaian political discourse and must be rejected by the citizenry.
Speaking at the Ghana Bar Association Conference in Cape Coast, Monday 11th September 2023, President Akufo-Addo stated that the attack on the judiciary by an alleged responsible politician of the 4th Republic provides a good reason for right-thinking citizens to ensure his defeat again in 2024.
“Not only are these concepts of NPP and NDC judges new in our public discourse, they are extremely dangerous and represents the most brazen attack on the independence of the judiciary by any allegedly responsible politician of the 4th Republic” he noted.
“They provide another reason, if more were needed, why right-thinking citizens should ensure the defeat in 2024 of the man whom the first special prosecutor identified as Government No.1 in the still unresolved Airbus Bribery scandal” he added.
On corruption, the President asserted that the manifestations of corruption are getting increasingly complex as it often occurs with the aid of professional enablers such as accountants, lawyers, bankers, real estate agents and opaque financial systems. However, he insists that his government has undertaken arguably the boldest initiative to fight corruption since the inception of independence.
The President also disassociated himself from the “clearing agent” tag indicating that it is not within his remits to clear or convict any person accused of wrongdoing or engaging in any act of corruption. He noted that clearing or conviction of corrupt individuals is the core responsibility of the courts and the law enforcement agencies.
“Every single alleged act of corruption levelled against any of my appointees has been investigated by independent bodies” he emphasized.
On his part, the Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, stated that the role of the Ghanaian lawyer in the delivery of justice cannot be taken for granted. He therefore advised the members of the BAR Association to fight fearlessly any tendencies what threatens the integrity of the legal profession.
