The Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, has warned that Ghana risks setting a “dangerous precedent” in its handling of constitutional matters, particularly regarding the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.

Speaking on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem, he stressed that the constitution should not be treated as “mere letters,” cautioning that shortcuts in due process could have long-term implications.

“If you look at the Chief Justice issue, it was not only the Minority speaking about it. Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo also raised concerns,” he said.

“The route we are taking is not clear, and it will affect us in the long run. The constitution is not just letters; we should not set a dangerous precedent.”

Mr. Baffour Awuah argued that the grounds on which Justice Torkornoo was removed were questionable, insisting that proper investigations and an auditor-general’s report should have preceded any parliamentary action. He noted that the absence of adverse findings in the report made her dismissal particularly troubling.

He also expressed concern over increasing executive interference in the judiciary and called for comprehensive reforms to strengthen judicial independence.

“I feel we need serious reform in our judiciary system as a country, away from the hands of the executive. The interference is real,” he stated.

Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie was sworn in as the new Chief Justice on November 17, following the removal of Justice Torkornoo in September after a committee cited stated grounds of misbehavior.