Member of Parliament for Essikado-Ketan and lawyer, Joe Ghartey, has underscored the importance of respecting the judiciary and the rule of law.

He emphasised that "nobody is above everybody" in a democratic society.

Speaking to the press on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, after the Supreme Court ruled on the vacant seats in Parliament, Mr Ghartey clarified that while the Supreme Court interprets the Constitution, this does not place it above other institutions or individuals.

Reflecting on his own legal career, Mr Ghartey noted that some of his former juniors are now judges, with one of the current judges even being his classmate.

Yet, he emphasised that the respect shown to judges is for the office they hold, not for the individuals themselves.

"Even if it’s my own child, I cannot but bow and give the person respect—not for the person, but for the office and for the law," he stated.

Mr Ghartey called on all Ghanaians to uphold this respect for the law, adding that while disagreements may arise, the rule of law must remain paramount.

"We expect every Ghanaian to respect the law. We don’t always agree with what is said or done, and there have been several occasions when I have disagreed with decisions," he said.

He also advised citizens to avoid making comments that could undermine the judiciary and instead focus on constructive ways to voice differing views within the framework of the Constitution.