Bobby Banson calls for legislative reforms amid Chief Justice removal controversy
Legal practitioner Bobby Banson has emphasized the need for urgent legislative reforms to protect the judiciary’s independence in light of the political controversy surrounding the potential removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo. Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, April 19, Banson warned that the current debate risks reducing the judiciary to a battleground for political rivalry between the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
He cautioned that unless laws are amended to clarify the processes for addressing alleged judicial misconduct, the system may be misused for political gain. “This whole issue, as Dr. Pumpuni said, should lead to legislative reforms for me,” he stated. “Otherwise, it becomes a political ping pong between the NDC and NPP, and in the end, it’s the judiciary that gets discredited.”
Banson noted that the increasing polarization of Ghana’s political landscape could damage public trust in the judiciary if legal frameworks are not strengthened to ensure impartiality in addressing misconduct claims. He urged lawmakers to introduce reforms that would shield the judiciary from political manipulation and maintain its independence and integrity.
Echoing similar sentiments, Frank Davies, Director of Legal Affairs for the NPP, also expressed concern over the politicization of the process. While acknowledging that Ghana’s constitution allows for the removal of a Chief Justice under certain conditions, Davies stressed that the current public discourse is taking a harmful turn. “It’s not the removal, per se, of a Chief Justice which is the problem,” he explained. “It is the way it’s being done.”
Davies emphasized the importance of due process and constitutional adherence, warning that politicizing the matter could erode democratic principles and undermine the credibility of the country’s legal system. He stated that any legitimate grounds for removal should be handled professionally and within constitutional guidelines, rather than being influenced by party politics.
The issue continues to stir national debate, with legal experts, political leaders, and the public weighing in on the implications for judicial independence. As pressure mounts, the conversation has shifted from just the merits of the case to broader concerns about how Ghana safeguards the neutrality of its legal institutions amid growing political divisions.
Calls for reform are gaining momentum as observers stress the need for stronger legal safeguards to protect the judiciary from undue political influence.
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