Mahama’s ‘balancing judiciary appointment’ comment dangerous – Akufo-Addo

President Nana Akufo-Addo has described as reckless and dangerous former President John Dramani Mahama’s comment about balancing judiciary appointments.

It will be recalled that the former president, who is also the Flagbearer for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), accused President Akufo-Addo of appointing party members to the bench with the aim of influencing court decisions in favor of the NPP.

The NDC Flagbearer thus urged NDC lawyers to consider taking up positions on the bench to balance its composition.

These comments by Mr Mahama have been widely condemned with the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) in particular calling him out.

Commenting on the issue, President Akufo-Addo said Mr Mahama’s comments are highly detrimental to the nation’s progress and the most blistering attack the Judiciary has faced in Ghana’s history.

“I have gone into this matter in detail because of a new issue which has been introduced into our public discourse by no less a public figure than the fourth president of the fourth republic the perennial NDC Presidential Candidate John Mahama who has told the world that I have packed the courts with so-called NPP judges and that one of the key purposes a putative NDC victory in 2024 will be to enable him to balance the courts with so-called NDC judges.

“Not only are these concepts [NPP judges and NDC judges] new in our public discourse but they are also extremely dangerous and represent the blazing attack on the independence of the judiciary by allegedly responsible politicians,” he said during the 2023 Ghana Bar Conference at the University of Cape Coast on Monday, September 11.

President Akufo-Addo urged the public to hold Mr. Mahama accountable for his reckless comments that seek to undermine the Judiciary.

He emphasized the importance of respecting the integrity and impartiality of the judicial system, which plays a crucial role in upholding the rule of law in the country.