Prominent investigative journalist, Manasseh Azure Awuni, has added his voice to growing calls for judicial accountability, urging Ghanaians to support a petition for the removal of Ghana’s Chief Justice based on principle rather than partisan loyalty.
In a sharply-worded critique, Manasseh emphasized that while the framers of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution were deliberate in insulating certain institutions from political interference, that protection must not become a shield against accountability.
“The framers of our constitution were wise enough to secure the tenure of some sensitive public institutions,” Manasseh noted. “Such officials should be able to exercise their duties without fear of being sacked the next day by a politician who is unhappy with them.”
However, he lamented that recent actions and rulings by the judiciary, particularly the Supreme Court, have failed to justify the faith the constitution places in their independence.
He argued that while many judges continue to serve with excellence and integrity, the leadership of the judiciary has often fallen short of the expectations of impartial justice.
Citing a chapter in his book, The President Ghana Never Got, Manasseh labelled the judiciary as an “accomplice” to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s administration, asserting that the institution has been complicit in undermining democratic accountability.
Manasseh warned against interpreting calls for judicial reform through the lens of Ghana’s traditional NDC-NPP political rivalry. Instead, he urged citizens to focus on the principles of justice and good governance.
“Let’s ask for fairness but resist the impression that security of tenure and immunity from accountability are synonymous,” he said.
According to him, the unchecked power of the judiciary contributes to the broader problem of impunity within the political class.
“If our judiciary had a mind of its own… some of the political excesses would be curtailed,” he said, arguing that greater accountability in the judiciary would send a strong signal to those in power.
As public discourse intensifies over the role and independence of the judiciary, Manasseh’s comments underscore a growing demand for institutional reform that balances independence with transparency and accountability.
“By all means, let’s call for fairness,” he concluded, “but we must also recognise that exacting accountability from the judiciary is a necessary guardrail against the tyranny of what is supposed to be the most sacred institution in our country.”
The petition to remove the Chief Justice, which has already generated political and legal debate, is expected to test Ghana’s democratic resilience and its commitment to institutional integrity.
Report By: Robicon Mornahson
