We have a problem with the judiciary – Mahama calls for changes in the judiciary
Former President John Dramani Mahama is calling for an overhauling of the Judiciary while calling on Chief Justice Anin Yeboah to as a matter of urgency lead the charge to those changes in the judiciary.
He made the call during a meeting with the United States Chapter of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at the Bentley University on Sunday, March 2. Mr Mahama said the NDC has a problem with the judiciary.
“We do have problems with the judiciary, I must say. I think that some internal reforms must take place there. It is necessary for the Chief Justice or whoever is responsible to make some reforms.
“Most of the governance institutions have been politicized. I give the example of the judiciary. It is only in Ghana that a Supreme Court will decide that a birth certificate is not proof of citizenship.
“There are many such funny judgments that have been given. I remember at one time, our colleague Professor Raymond Atuguba said that from research he had done, judges turn to give their judgments in favour of the political party or leader that appointed them.
“He was subjected to such a whirlwind of indignation by the judiciary but if you bring it down to what is happening today, and you look at it and see who appointed who, you will find that there was some truth in the research.
“The thing is, our constitution gives the security of tenure to judges. Once you have been appointed you cannot be removed. That is why we give security of tenure so that you will have the courage no matter who appointed you to give judgement according to your conscience. That is what our judges should do. They must rise to the occasion.”
