Former Convention People’s Party (CPP) running mate, Woyoe Ghanamannti Esq., has hit back at NDC lawyer Abraham Amaliba for describing former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo as a “crybaby.”
He says such remarks are disrespectful to the judiciary and diminish the principle of constitutional equality.
Speaking on Prime Insight, Ghanamannti argued that if Justice Torkonoo is being labelled a “cry baby” for exercising her constitutional rights through the courts, then President John Dramani Mahama’s conduct could equally be described as that of a “bully.”
“For my learned friend Amaliba to say that the former Chief Justice of this republic is behaving like a crybaby, then I can equally also say that the President is behaving like a bully. The Chief Justice is the third most important person in this country,” he stated.
He criticised what he described as a growing tendency to elevate the President above all other constitutional authorities, warning that such attitudes undermine the sovereignty of the people.
“Article 1 of the Constitution says the sovereignty of this nation resides in the people. Government, whether NDC or NPP, exercises authority on behalf of the people. Saying ‘the President, the President’ as if he is more important than all of us is wrong,” he argued.
He added, “And it’s not about President Mahama. It’s not about President Akufo-Addo. It’s not about Kwame Nkrumah. It’s not about any of them or their persona. I’m talking about the position, let us begin to learn from this concept that the President is not a demi god.”
According to Ghanamannti, the office of the President must not be treated as untouchable. “It’s only in Africa, and only in Ghana, that we make presidents demigods. Presidents are not demigods. They are ordinary citizens like us, chosen through political parties and elections. They can be removed. Article 69 of the Constitution is clear on that,” he stressed.
He further defended Justice Torkonoo’s legal challenge, insisting she was acting within her constitutional rights and contributing to the strengthening of Ghana’s democracy.
“What the woman is doing falls under Article 33 and Order 55 — she’s seeking judicial review of an administrative process, and that’s her right. She has allowed the process to go on and is now seeking a review. That is within her mandate and deepens our democratic and legal ethos,” Ghanamannti explained.
He urged respect for institutional balance and cautioned against narratives that place the President above constitutional scrutiny.
“It’s not about President Mahama or President Akufo-Addo or even Kwame Nkrumah. It’s about the position, whoever occupies it is not a demigod. When such matters arise, let’s give due respect to the Chief Justice and to the rule of law,” he said.
Background
Former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo’s legal battle arises from her challenge to the procedure that led to her removal from office.
In 2025, several petitions were sent to the President seeking her removal under Article 146 of the Constitution for alleged misconduct. President John Mahama referred the petitions to a five-member committee headed by Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang to investigate the claims.
Before the committee concluded its work, Justice Torkonoo filed suits at the Supreme Court and High Court, arguing the process was unconstitutional and biased. Despite her court actions, the committee completed its work and submitted its report to the President.
Subsequently, President Mahama nominated Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as the next Chief Justice — a move Torkonoo is now contesting in court, insisting the appointment is premature until her substantive case is resolved.
Source: Emma Ankrah
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