Retired Supreme Court Judge Justice William Atuguba has strongly dismissed suggestions that the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo was politically motivated, describing such claims as “nonsense.”
In an interview on JoyNews’ The Pulse on Tuesday, September 9, Justice Atuguba cautioned against reducing every national issue to partisan politics, warning that it undermines institutional credibility and hinders Ghana’s progress.
“That is why I say it is the politics that has harmed this country very gravely. Why should somebody have that mindset? Somebody has been removed; therefore, when we come, we must remove irrespective of merit. Let us be a bit serious here,” he stated.
NPP Allegations and Atuguba’s Response
His comments follow claims by some members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) suggesting that the removal of Chief Justice Torkonoo was politically engineered rather than legally justified.
Justice Atuguba countered that implementing electoral promises, including reforms in the judiciary, should not automatically be labeled partisan interference.
“When parties contest elections, don’t they have their manifestos on what they intend to do? So when they are elected and begin implementing them, what is wrong with that? That programme has already been endorsed by the voters,” he explained.
Call for Judicial Reforms
Justice Atuguba recalled that even before the 2024 elections, he had consistently called for restructuring within Ghana’s judiciary. He stressed that public confidence in the judiciary had eroded and that any government in power has a duty to restore credibility and trust.
“I used to say before the elections that the judiciary needed restructuring, and I repeated it afterwards. If the public has lost interest in the judiciary, it must be rectified. But when you say it and later pursue it in office, people claim it is politically motivated? It is nonsense. It is absolute nonsense,” he insisted.
Strengthening Ghana’s Institutions
The retired judge emphasized that focusing solely on politics instead of institutional reform threatens Ghana’s democracy. He urged leaders and citizens alike to support credible reforms in order to strengthen public trust in the judiciary and other state institutions.
