Akufo-Addo appointing NPP loyalists to courts to evade accountability – NDC

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of appointing loyalists of the New Patriotic Party to the country’s courts, alleging that this move aims to control the judiciary and avoid accountability after his tenure.

The accusation comes in response to Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo’s recommendation of five judges for appointment to the Supreme Court.

Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, General Secretary of the NDC, expressed these concerns during a press conference on Thursday. He emphasized the NDC’s worry over what they perceive as a troubling pattern of judicial appointments by the president, suggesting that such politicization of independent state institutions could jeopardize the nation’s peace.

Mr. Kwetey emphasized that the appointment of judges to the Supreme Court is a matter of national significance.

“We are deeply concerned about a troubling trend that strongly suggests the President is appointing only party loyalists to these courts to exert influence over the judiciary and evade accountability after leaving office. It is evident that the President is stacking the courts ahead of the upcoming elections with judges sympathetic to his party.

“The deliberate politicization and undermining of independent state institutions, including the judiciary, could severely undermine the peace and stability of our democracy.

“It is widely recognized that without a fair and impartial judiciary, democracy and constitutionalism are compromised. Therefore, this issue should be a major national concern, adding to the existing threats to the peace and stability of Ghana’s democracy,” he asserted.