Collins Dauda, a senior member of Ghana’s Parliament, has fired back at Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin over his remarks questioning the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, calling him a “confused politician” and defending the constitutional process that led to her dismissal.
Speaking Tuesday in Akwatia during a visit to polling stations amid a closely watched by-election, Dauda, the MP for Asutifi South, dismissed Afenyo-Markin’s suggestion that the dismissal was politically motivated or procedurally flawed.
“The Minority Leader is a confused politician, and it is because we followed the processes outlined in the constitution,” Dauda said. “For the removal of the Chief Justice, the constitution clearly defines the steps, and he should cite a breach if there is any.”
The dispute stems from comments made by Afenyo-Markin, who criticized the president’s decision and questioned whether the appropriate constitutional mechanisms — including the role of the Pwamang Committee, which advises on judicial removals — were fully observed.
“The Chief Justice was removed unjustly,” Afenyo-Markin said earlier. “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?”
Dauda responded that acting on one valid petition was consistent with legal precedent, using a courtroom analogy to explain the government's position. “If you are charged on four counts and are convicted on one, the court acts on that one — not the ones you were cleared of,” he said. “There were three petitions. Are we to wait for all to conclude before acting on one that is already clear? That’s not how justice works.”
He also insisted that President John Dramani Mahamka acted in accordance with his constitutional mandate. “The president took an oath to uphold the constitution. Are we being asked to disregard it? Is that the position of the Minority Leader?” Dauda asked.
Beyond the judicial controversy, Dauda also weighed in on the Akwatia by-election, expressing confidence in the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC)'s chances. He pointed to what he described as the party’s track record on development in the constituency.
“If you speak to residents here, many will tell you that much of the development in Akwatia happened under the NDC,” he said. “The opposition New Patriotic Party has done little for this area. The people believe electing an NDC MP will bring real development.”
