The President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), Yaw Acheampong Boafo, has urged an end to the politicization of Ghana’s judiciary, citing the increasing political commentary surrounding high-profile court cases.
Speaking at a remembrance service for the Martyrs of the Rule of Law, Boafo lamented the trend of framing judicial matters through a political lens, emphasizing that the judiciary operates independently of political affiliations.
He reiterated that judges are not appointed based on political leanings and urged individuals to desist from assigning political colours to judges, lest it leads to the “martyrdom of any judge.”
The service honoured the sacrifices of three judges killed in 1982 for defending the rule of law. Boafo’s remarks come amid concerns over elements within the NPP and NDC attacking judges who sit on cases deemed political.
The GBA President’s call seeks to safeguard the judiciary’s independence and ensure judges are not subjected to partisan pressure. He underscored the heightened stakes during this critical period.
“We cannot afford to witness and deal with similar acts of threats, intimidation, violence, vigilantism, and lawlessness, which can affect the peace and stability of Ghana and our general cast to consolidate our democratic and economic development. Yet still, the marking of a day like this should serve as a constant reminder of the need for the state government, and the management of the judicial service to enhance the security and safety of judges at all levels of the judiciary.”
Reflecting on recent events, Mr Acheampong highlighted a chilling incident in Kenya where a principal magistrate was fatally attacked in open court.
He urged Ghanaian authorities to learn from this tragic experience and fortify the protection of judicial officers. Mr Acheampong also lamented the inadequate security infrastructure in many Ghanaian courts, particularly at lower levels.
He cited the absence of court warrant offices and insufficient equipment as critical deficiencies jeopardising the safety of judges and court personnel.
“Some few years ago, Justice Senyo Dzamefe of the Court of Appeal, as then President of the Association of Judges and Magistrates of Ghana, made a call for the installation of circuit television cameras at the courts to ensure surveillance of criminals and unscrupulous persons who may want to target judges and other court users.”
