Agyepong Accuses Mahama of Undermining Ghana's Democracy
Agyepong's concerns center around Mahama's recent moves, including the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo and sweeping changes to the leadership of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
The former involves the President exercising his constitutional powers under Article 146(9) of the 1992 Constitution, following a petition and recommendation from a Committee of Inquiry. The latter saw the dismissal of 12 senior military officers, including the Chief of Defence Staff and other high-ranking officials.
Speaking on Channel One TV's The Point of View, Agyepong expressed disappointment with Mahama's approach, emphasizing that such actions could undermine public trust in the judiciary and military, and erode Ghana's democratic foundations. "I think the idea that one leg of democracy can take over the other is something that all of us have to repudiate and find a way to protect," he stated.
Agyepong's criticism is echoed by other voices, including Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who has decried what he claimed are threats to Ghana's democracy, judicial independence, and freedom of expression under Mahama's leadership. Afenyo-Markin questioned the transparency and constitutionality of the Chief Justice's removal, calling for the release of the Pwaman Committee's report and related documents.
These developments have sparked fears of a growing trend of political interference in Ghana's institutions, potentially destabilizing the delicate balance of power and undermining democratic governance.
Source – Lead News Online/Leticia Okpoti
