MP Alhassan Tampuli of Gushegu has publicly urged Chief Justice Paul Baffoe‑Bonnie to keep the judiciary out of Ghana’s political arena. The MP said the Chief Justice, as head of the Judiciary, must protect the institution’s independence and neutrality rather than wade into political conflicts.
“Keep off the arena of conflicts, keep off the arena of politics and allow us politicians to play there,” Mr Tampuli said during a press briefing. His remarks followed the Chief Justice’s visit to the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) on Wednesday, September 2, where the Chief Justice praised the fund’s performance and questioned what Ghana had been doing over the past eight years.
Mr Tampuli argued that the Chief Justice’s position demands restraint in public commentary, especially on issues that could be seen as taking sides in Ghana’s political discourse. He added that while he respects the office and its past occupants, the current Chief Justice should uphold the standards set by his predecessors.
“If the Chief Justice, maybe in carrying on his career, feels he wants to join the political space, why not? He can decide to come and wear the jersey so that we can see him as an easy target,” Mr Tampuli said. He called on politicians to exercise restraint in their criticism of the Chief Justice out of respect for the office.
The call for judicial neutrality comes as the country prepares for upcoming elections, with the judiciary’s role in overseeing the electoral process under scrutiny.
