NDC takes on retired Court of Appeal judge over Mahama comments

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has taken exception to comments attributed to retired Court of Appeal justice Isaac Douse over recent concerns raised by its three-time flagbearer John Dramani Mahama on the deteriorating image of the judiciary.

The opposition party, in a statement issued by General Secretary Johnson Asiedu Nketia on Tuesday, August 30, disagreed with the retired justice on his comments.

Justice Douse had opined that dragging the Supreme Court in the mud by Mr Mahama could threaten the democratic gains made in the Fourth Republic.

But the NDC said this caution by Justice Douse is “completely misplaced”.

“There is sufficient evidence, both scientific and anecdotal, available to prove that citizens’ trust in the judiciary which also includes the Supreme Court is on a gradual decline,” Mr Asiedu Nketia’s statement said.

“This phenomenon cannot be blamed on anyone else but the judiciary itself.”

Mr Mahama during the 2nd Annual Lawyers Conference over the weekend said only a new leadership of the judiciary can make any meaningful reforms to roll back the gains made.

“Unfortunately, we have no hope that the current leadership of our judiciary can lead such a process of change,” he told members of the legal team of the NDC.

“We can only hope that the new Chief Justice will lead the process to repair the broken image that our judiciary has acquired over the last few years.”

The NDC completely agreed with Mr Mahama, drawing the attention of Justice Douse to some infractions being perpetrated by the Akufo-Addo-led administration.

“Is Justice Douse observing how the president continues to pack our courts with partisan judges? As an experienced jurist, does he fully appreciate the implications of such acts on justice delivery and for that matter the image of the judiciary and its independence?

“If so, has he made any comments about it?”

The NDC said Mr Mahama had every right, like any other citizen, to comment on national issues including critiquing decisions of the country’s courts.

“We wish to state that the judiciary should take the advice of HE John Mahama seriously and reflect on it each time it is called upon to do its work.”