Mahama Vows to Appoint Fair-Minded Judges and Revisit Constitutional Review Process
In a compelling address, former President John Mahama outlined his vision for a fair and just judiciary, emphasizing the critical role of appointing impartial judges and revisiting the constitutional review process. Mahama's remarks underscore his commitment to strengthening the judiciary and ensuring that the appointment of judges is carried out with integrity and responsibility.
Mahama began by acknowledging the unique position of the judiciary in Ghana's governance. "Our Constitution gives the judiciary certain privileges. They are the only arm of government that does not renew its mandate through elections," he noted. "I believe the obligation and responsibility of every president is to appoint fair-minded people."
Highlighting the importance of impartiality in the judiciary, Mahama stressed that judges must rule based on facts, setting aside personal inclinations towards any faith, religion, or culture. "The obligation when you become a judge is to look at the hard facts and rule based on that," he stated.
Addressing recent tensions and controversies surrounding judicial appointments, Mahama criticized the current administration's approach. "Some of the pushback that we're seeing currently is due to this president's tendency to patch the holes. The Constitution states that the president appoints judges in consultation with the Judicial Council, and it is very rare for recommendations to come from the Chief Justice."
Mahama emphasized the need to adhere to constitutional procedures and ensure that any changes to the judiciary are made with broad consultation and public input. "We will redirect the Constitutional Review process when I become president. We will put it to the Ghanaian people whether we should retain the current number of Supreme Court judges, reduce it, or increase it," he promised.
He also addressed the discretionary power of the president in judicial appointments, stressing the importance of exercising this power responsibly. "The president of this country has a lot of discretionary power, but it must be exercised with responsibility. When appointing people to the judiciary, we must ensure they are fair-minded and capable of judging impartially."
Reflecting on his previous tenure, Mahama highlighted the significant achievements under his leadership, including stabilizing the economy, addressing the energy crisis, and expanding infrastructure. "By 2016, we had stabilized the power situation, created new oil blocks, and introduced an Energy Sector Energy Act bringing in almost $9 billion annually," he recounted. "We had built a new port at Tema, expanded our airports, and improved health and educational infrastructure."
With these accomplishments as a backdrop, Mahama made a strong case for his return to office. "On the basis of our achievements, I wanted another chance to continue and consolidate what we had done. This is why I believe I deserve a second term in office," he declared.
John Mahama's address highlighted his vision for a fair judiciary, adherence to constitutional procedures, and a responsible approach to governance, promising a future where integrity and accountability are at the forefront of judicial appointments and national development.
By: Victoria Nana Adwoa Kwofie
Leave A Comment