A former Ghana Bar Association (GBA) President, Samuel Okudzeto, says the suspension of the Chief Justice sends the wrong signals to the world and could have dire consequences for Ghana’s reputation and economy.
In an interview, the legal luminary warned that the action, though constitutional, is damaging in the eyes of the international community.
“Now the question, of course,” he said, “is that when you suspend a Chief Justice, the signal that it sends out into the international community is quite serious indeed.”
He said Ghana cannot afford to overlook the international ramifications of such a move.
“I can assure you that a lot of investors will withhold their investments from your country by virtue of that kind of situation,” he stated.
The suspension follows the formation of a five-member committee by President John Mahama to investigate petitions against the Chief Justice.
The committee is made up of high-profile figures from the legal, academic, military, and public service fields.
But the former Council of State member cautioned that legal provisions alone are not enough. The manner of execution matters too.
“Even though it is pursuant to a constitutional provision,” he said, “you have to be careful how you handle it.”
He explained that diplomatic and investor communities pay close attention to how justice is administered.
“If you study international relations,” he said, “you begin to understand the intricacies involved in the matter.”
He stressed that the optics and timing are just as important as the process.
“It’s not that you shouldn’t handle it,” he said, “but you must be careful the way, the manner in which you handle it.”
He argued that Ghana risks being seen as politically unstable in matters of judicial independence.
“That can give a wrong order to the international community about justice delivery and legality of your situation,” he warned.
“That is the sensitivity involved in it. This is my worry,” he concluded.
