Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, Member of Parliament and Deputy Minister for Education, has sharply criticized the UK Bar Council and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association for their recent statements regarding the suspension of Ghana’s Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Torkornoo.
In a strongly worded statement, Dr. Apaak described their intervention as impudent and an unacceptable interference in Ghana’s constitutional affairs.
Addressing what he termed “nonsensical colonialist-induced insults” disguised as demands, Dr. Apaak made it clear that Ghana will not tolerate external bodies attempting to dictate the actions of its government.
“Ghanaians will not tolerate such nonsensical colonialist-induced insults, disguised as demands, from you. Never!” the deputy minister asserted.
He directly challenged the organizations’ call for the immediate reinstatement of the Chief Justice, emphasizing the sovereignty of Ghana’s government.
“You cannot order our President to ‘immediately and without delay reinstate the Chief Justice of Ghana.’ Such impudence!” Dr. Apaak wrote.
Highlighting Ghana’s status as an independent republic, he reiterated that President John Dramani Mahama is accountable solely to the people of Ghana, and not to foreign legal bodies.
“John Dramani Mahama is the President of Ghana, an independent sovereign nation, and a Republic, for that matter. He is answerable to the people of Ghana, as mandated by our constitution, not to your associations,” he stated.
Dr. Apaak further stressed that Ghana is governed by clear constitutional laws and dismissed any insinuations that the actions taken against the Chief Justice were unlawful.
“Ghana is not a lawless banana republic. We have laws and are governed by a constitution. Our President has at all times conducted himself lawfully in the matter you have been contracted to make your business,” he said.
Expressing his confusion over the foreign organizations’ criticism of Ghana’s legal processes, the deputy minister accused them of being misled.
“It baffles me how you are strangely unhappy with lawful actions undertaken as dictated by the constitution of our nation. Your collaborators have deceived you into damaging your reputation with these baseless demands,” Dr. Apaak noted.
He concluded his statement by demanding a withdrawal of the statements and an apology to the Ghanaian people.
“Withdraw your unjustified statement, and apologise to Ghanaians. Be guided,” the deputy education minister urged.
Source: www.Kumasimail/Kwadwo Owusu
