The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has strongly condemned the comments made by Minority Chief Whip Governs Kwame Agbodza during the approval of Chief Justice Getrude Torkonoo. The GBA described his remarks as irresponsible and unwarranted, stating that it was unacceptable for a member of the parliamentary leadership to make derogatory statements against the outgoing Chief Justice.
During the approval process for Chief Justice Torkonoo, Mr. Agbodza expressed hope that she would be a better Chief Justice than her predecessor. However, he went on to criticize the outgoing Chief Justice, stating, “Under the reign of the outgoing Chief Justice, the level of miscarriage of justice in this country reached a crescendo and must never be repeated. The former Chief Justice must know when he goes home that this miscarriage of justice rests on his chest.”
In response to these comments, GBA President Yaw Acheampong Boafo expressed his disappointment and labeled the remarks as irresponsible. He highlighted that it was unacceptable for a member of the parliamentary minority to hide behind parliamentary immunity granted by the 1992 constitution to launch such an unwarranted attack on the person of the immediate Chief Justice.
Mr. Acheampong emphasized that it was particularly concerning that Mr. Agbodza failed to substantiate his claims regarding the alleged miscarriage of justice under the outgoing Chief Justice. The GBA President stressed that making such derogatory statements without providing evidence undermined the integrity of the judiciary and raised doubts about the credibility of the comments made.
he GBA firmly stated that parliamentary immunity should not be abused as a shield for making baseless allegations or launching personal attacks. As a leader in Parliament, Mr. Agbodza had a responsibility to uphold the standards of decorum and respect for the institutions of justice.
The association called for more responsible and respectful discourse among members of Parliament, emphasizing the importance of adhering to ethical standards and promoting a constructive environment for public debate. The GBA urged all members of the legislative body to engage in discussions that are grounded in factual evidence and avoid making derogatory comments that undermine the credibility of individuals and institutions.
