Dr Clement Apaak, the Deputy Education Minister, has fired shots at the UK Bar Council and Commonwealth Lawyers after they issued a statement demanding that President John Mahama reinstate the suspended Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo.
According to Dr Clement Apaak, Ghanaians will not tolerate such nonsensical colonialist-induced insults.
He boldly emphasised that the UK Bar Council and Commonwealth Lawyers cannot order President John Mahama.
In a statement shared on X, Dr Clement Apaak wrote, “Ghanaians will not tolerate such nonsensical colonialist-induced insults, disguised as demands, from you. Never! You cannot order our President to “Immediately and without delay reinstate the Chief Justice of Ghana…. Such impudences
John Dramani Mahama is the President of Ghana, an independent sovereign nation, and a Republic, for that matter. He is answerable to the people of Ghana, as mandated by our constitution, not to your associations”.
His statement added, “Ghana is not a lawless banana Republic. We have laws and are governed by a constitution. Our President has at all times conducted himself lawfully in the matter you have been contracted to make yo ur business.
President John Dramani Mahama would not violate or offend our constitution
It baffles me how you are strangely unhappy with lawful actions undertaken as dictated by the Constitution of our nation.
Your collaborators have deceived you into damaging your reputation with these baseless demands. Withdraw your unjustified statement, and apologise to Ghanaians
Be Guided”, the short statement concluded.
Dr Apaak comments on social media follow the UK Bar Council, Commonwealth Lawyers, who have ordered President John Dramani Mahama to immediately and without delay, reinstate the suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
On Thursday, August 14, 2025, in a joint statement, the Bar Council of England and Wales and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association demanded the reinstatement of the Chief Justice.
Parts of their statement noted, “Immediately and without delay, reinstate the Chief Justice of Ghana to her Office, consistent with both the hitherto strong attachment to the rule of law demonstrated by Ghana and also, the constitutional duties incumbent upon them”.
They stated that the rules of practice must “include the time frame within which the investigating committee must conclude the disciplinary process against the Chief Justice, without any further delay and communicate that decision of that process to all concerned in upholding the rule of law in Ghana.”
According to the Bar Council of England and Wales and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association, the investigating committee permitting petitioners to use witnesses instead of attending themselves to answer questions on their petitions does not follow the rules and norms of due process.
They argued that the decision by the investigating committee to “deny the Chief Justice’s legal representative the respect required when attending the hearings of the investigating committee is contrary to the Latimer House Principles, which underline the duty to ensure fair and just process.”
Meanwhile, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has replied to the UK Bar Council, Commonwealth Lawyers.
Dr Dominic Ayine, in a statement, emphasised that the suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo’s suspension will remain until the inquiry committee completes and submits its report to President Mahama.
In a press release dated August 15, 2025, and signed by Dr Dominic Ayine stated, “Neither Latimer House Principles nor the constitution prohibits the suspension of a Chief Justice once a prima facie determination of misconduct or misbehaviour has been made.
The suspension will therefore remain in effect until the inquiry committee completes its work and submits its report, to which His Excellency the President will adhere”.
The Attorney General further described the UK Bar Council’s, Commonwealth Lawyers’ joint statement as a matter of serious concern and accused them of failing to study Ghana’s Constitution before making their demands.
The AG statement added, “It is, however, a matter of serious concern that the BCEW and the CLA issued the joint statement without first acquainting themselves, even in a very basic way, with the relevant constitutional provisions and the material facts of the matter”.
“The suspension of Her Ladyship, Justice Torkornoo, C.J., strictly adheres to the provisions of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, particularly Article 146, which prescribes the procedure and the grounds for the removal of the Chief Justice and the removal of other Justices of the Superior Courts from office,” Dr Ayine explained.
Dr Dominic Ayine’s statement added, “After establishing the inquiry committee, the President, acting in accordance with further advice from the Council of State, suspended Her Ladyship, Justice Torkornoo, C.J., pending the outcome of the inquiry”.
“It is unrealistic and unbelievable that an inquiry committee with two of the suspended Chief Justice’s peers, one serving as chairperson, would deprive her of the safeguards of due process, particularly when it is public knowledge that legal counsel… has continuously and ably represented her throughout the hearings”, he said.
The Attorney-General further declared government is committed to maintaining the independence of the judiciary, the separation of powers, and the rule of law.
“The government of Ghana remains strongly committed to maintaining the independence of the judiciary, separation of powers, and the rule of law. Any suggestion otherwise is unfounded and risks distorting a constitutional process that is being conducted fairly, transparently and in accordance with the law”, he added.
See the post below:
Dear UK Bar Council and Commonwealth Lawyers Association,
— Dr. Clement Abas Apaak (@DrApaak) August 16, 2025
Ghanaians will not tolerate such nonsensical colonialist-induced insults, disguised as demands, from you. Never! You can not order our President to "Immediately and without delay reinstate the Chief Justice of Ghana…." pic.twitter.com/x2NSTlINVF