Mahama was fair in CJ suspension — Vanderpuye tells critics

The National Coordinator of the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, has mounted a strong defence of President John Dramani Mahama’s handling of the Chief Justice’s suspension, describing the process as fair and procedurally sound.

Speaking on Breakfast Daily on Channel One TV on Thursday, April 24, Vanderpuye rejected accusations made by the New Patriotic Party (NPP), which earlier condemned the President’s decision as “unconstitutional, absurd, and repugnant.”

The NPP’s criticism followed President Mahama’s suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo after a prima facie case was established based on three separate petitions seeking her removal.

“If there was a real democracy capture, it was under Nana Akufo-Addo. Nana Akufo-Addo took advantage of the lacuna in the Constitution. I think people should admire President Mahama for what he has done,” Vanderpuye asserted.

He highlighted that President Mahama’s actions were not only consistent with constitutional directives but also went above and beyond in terms of fairness and transparency.

“When I heard people talking about the fact that if you are exercising discretionary power, you must be fair and just in this particular instance, President Mahama has been fair,” he said.

“The President has even gone beyond the boundaries of fairness. He has allowed the Chief Justice to see the petition before she appeared before the committee. He has allowed her to prepare herself adequately before she meets the committee,” Vanderpuye added.

President Mahama’s decision, announced on April 22, was taken in line with Article 146(6) of the 1992 Constitution after consultation with the Council of State. It marks a critical juncture in Ghana’s judicial system, as the country’s highest-ranking judicial officer now faces a formal inquiry into her conduct.

Adding to the already tense atmosphere, the Office of the President confirmed on April 23 that it had received two new petitions also seeking the Chief Justice’s removal, escalating what is fast becoming a deeply divisive issue in Ghana’s legal and political landscape.