Torkornoo’s Removal: Afenyo-Markin Is a Confused Politician – Collins Dauda

The Member of Parliament for Asutifi South, Collins Dauda, has taken a swipe at Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, describing him as a “confused politician” over his comments on the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo.

Mr. Afenyo-Markin had argued that the Chief Justice’s dismissal was unjust, raising doubts about whether due constitutional process had been followed. Speaking after the President’s decision, he asked:

“The chief justice was removed unjustly, but we’ll come back to that one. Now, we are a mourning democracy. There are petitions against the chief justice; you are done with one, and you acted on it. Is that the work of the Pwamang committee?”

But responding in Akwatia, where he visited polling stations during Tuesday’s by-election, September 2, 2025, Collins Dauda dismissed the Minority Leader’s assertions.

“The Minority Leader is a confused politician, and it is because we entered into the processes outlined in the constitution. For the removal of the CJ, the constitution clearly defines the processes that one has to go through. He should cite a breach,” Dauda retorted.

He stressed that the existence of multiple petitions against Justice Torkornoo did not mean they all had to be concluded before action could be taken. Using a courtroom analogy, he said:

“When you are charged with four counts, and you are cleared on three but found guilty on one, the court will not dismiss the guilty one simply because you won the three. You will face the consequences of the one count you lost. In the same way, the President acted on a clear recommendation from the report.”

Mr. Dauda maintained that President John Dramani Mahama acted lawfully and faithfully to his oath of office. “The President swore to uphold the Constitution. Do you want us to disrespect it just because it does not favor your position?” he asked.

On the Akwatia by-election, the Asutifi South legislator expressed optimism about the chances of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), claiming voters trusted the party’s track record.

“If you speak to residents here, they will tell you that much of the development in Akwatia came under the NDC. The NPP has done nothing for them. That is why they believe with an NDC MP, development will return,” he added.