Host of JoyNews’ Newsfile, Samson Lardy Anyenini, has argued that the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo had implications beyond the judiciary.
He warned that “attacks” on constitutionally independent institutions could harm the economy.
Contributing to discussions on JoyNews’ 2025 Year in Review on Tuesday, December 30, Mr Anyenini said economic performance cannot be separated from the strength and credibility of state institutions, particularly the judiciary.
“It is easy to focus only on the economy, but there are several sectors and factors that contribute to building the economy you want. Trust in institutions is one of them,” he said.
According to the private legal practitioner, the perception of judicial independence plays a critical role in building investor confidence and sustaining economic growth, just as confidence in digital systems depends on strong cybersecurity.
Mr Anyenini explained that Ghana’s economy is increasingly driven by mobile money, electronic payments, national identification systems, and e-governance, all of which rely on trust in institutions.
“When you have strong cybersecurity, it builds trust in your digital systems. In the same way, if the judiciary is perceived to be under attack or not independent, it affects the economy,” he noted.
He said the manner in which the former Chief Justice was removed sent troubling signals, particularly because the judiciary is constitutionally required to operate independently of the executive and legislature.
Drawing on his personal legal experience with Article 146 proceedings, Mr Anyenini said he fully understood the gravity of processes relating to the removal of heads of independent constitutional bodies.
He noted that although multiple allegations were raised against her, only a few became the focus of public debate, some of which related to administrative practices previously adopted by her predecessors.
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