Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo’s comments regarding President Akufo-Addo’s belief in the rule of law being evident to all, is a statement the President himself would bet to differ, Sammy Gyamfi, a private legal practitioner, has noted.
The National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has suggested that such “contrived and sycophantic” comment from the Chief Justice should have rather been reserved for party foot soldiers.
Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo, the Chief Justice, during her welcoming address to members at the 2024 Africa Conference of the International Association of Women Judges Monday, May 13, 2024, described President Akufo-Addo as the “most distinguished legal practitioner” in Ghana’s judicial trajectory, touting how he has respected the rule of law in his tenure as President.
Madam Torkornoo noted that, the President has prioritised justice throughout his years in public service, saying his belief in the rule of law is evident for all to see.
“His Excellency is a lawyer and champion of justice and his name is definably hatched in the legal history of this country as the most distinguished legal practitioner. His belief in the rule of law has been evident during his tenure as President and the Judicial Service of Ghana has been a beneficiary of the exceptional level of physical and technological infrastructure during this period,” she stated.
Meanwhile, Sammy Gyamfi believes the President has rather exhibited the opposite of what the Head of Ghana’s Judiciary stated.
The Head of the NDC’s Communications Bureau was confident the President himself would disagree with the Chief Justice for those comments.
“President Akufo-Addo himself will disagree with this contrived testimony coming from the CJ. Sycophantic comments like this should ordinarily be reserved for party footsoldiers. Comic relief I guess. Living example of what? Apuuu!!!” he said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
President @NAkufoAddo himself will disagree with this contrived testimony coming from the CJ. Sycophantic comments like this should ordinarily be reserved for party footsoldiers. Comic relief I guess.
Living example of what? Apuuu!!! pic.twitter.com/5kkPfKlTFC
— Sammy Gyamfi (@SammyGyamfi_) May 13, 2024
Madam Torkornoo lauded the President’s efforts for investing in infrastructure for the judicial service.
“We appreciate the strong support we have received from the office of the president. The co-rumination of this support is the presence of His Excellency with us this morning who will officially be opening this conference.
On his part, President Akufo-Addo noted at the event that his accomplishments in the sector in terms of enhanced infrastructure, is unprecedented.
The conference, themed ‘The Role of Women Judges in Combatting Negative Cultural Practices in Contemporary Times,’ served as a platform to discuss pertinent issues concerning gender equality and judicial activism.
Speaking to the jurists, the President expressed the need for infrastructure to be prioritised in ensuring the theme of the programme is attained.
“Indeed, since I assumed office in 2017, my government has made unprecedented progress in the provision of court buildings and residences for judges around the country.
“In 2020, we set out to construct 100 courthouses with residential facilities nationwide. As of February 2024, seventy-nine courthouses have been successfully inaugurated and are in use in various parts of the country. The remaining 21 projects are at various stages of completion and are expected to be completed and inaugurated soon, at least before I leave office,” he indicated.
Akufo-Addo is a living example of rule of law – Chief Justice Torkornoo
