15/09/2025
“When, in 2015, an Article 146 petition was received by the then Chief Justice in relation to the former Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, Lauretta Lamptey, the Bar failed to speak out about the process.
In the run-up to the 2016 elections, the then opposition New Patriotic Party engaged the Electoral Commission in court battles over the voter identification system. This gave rise to the Abu Ramadan line of cases. Immediately upon assuming office in 2017, an Article 146 petition was filed for the removal of the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs. Charlotte Osei, and her deputies from office. The Bar saw no basis to speak out about compliance with due process.
However, in recent times, the Bar found its voice when petitions, based upon the same constitutionally defined procedures, were brought in respect of the removal from office of the former Chief Justice, Mrs. Gertrude Araba Torkorno. What changed?
Ladies and gentlemen,
(1) The three petitions aforementioned touched and concerned officeholders of three constitutional bodies critical to the sustenance of our democracy. (2) The independence of the three institutions has been guaranteed by the Constitution. (3) The three occupants were all women of significant repute. (4) They were all members of our noble profession. (5) Each of the three committees established pursuant to Article 146 complied with the same constitutional procedures to the letter. And yet, the GBA found its voice only in relation to the third petition.
Coincidentally, the voice of the Bar amplified the voice of the main opposition party.
~ Hon. Dr. Dominic Ayine, Attorney-General & Minister for Justice, Wa.