Deputy Director of Operations at the Presidency, Mustapha Gbande, has accused former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of strategically appointing judges aligned with his administration to shield political allies from accountability.
Speaking during an interview on 3FM’s midday news on April 18, Gbande claimed the judiciary had been “packed” to insulate officials from prosecution, undermining efforts to address corruption.
Gbande cited the 2017 removal of former Electoral Commission Chairperson Charlotte Osei, which sparked widespread controversy, as evidence of institutional manipulation. “The same law that allowed President Akufo-Addo to remove Charlotte Osei governs our institutions today,” he stated. “We are not here to repeat past actions but to evaluate each case individually.”
He vowed that the current administration would pursue a sweeping restructuring of key offices, including the Chief Justice and Electoral Commission leadership, to install officials “not politically exposed.” Gbande argued that judicial neutrality is critical for accountability, stressing that reforms would remain ineffective without addressing systemic bias. “If you don’t clean the judiciary, calls for accountability are meaningless,” he said.
The remarks reflect escalating tensions over Ghana’s judicial independence, a recurring theme in its political discourse. Previous administrations have faced similar allegations of leveraging judicial appointments to influence governance, though such claims remain contentious. Legal experts note that constitutional provisions for judicial oversight exist but require rigorous bipartisan engagement to prevent perceived politicization.
Gbande’s pledges align with broader promises by the current government to recalibrate institutional integrity. However, critics caution that replacing top officials without transparent criteria risks perpetuating cycles of partisan favoritism. As debates intensify, observers emphasize that public trust hinges on consistent adherence to due process rather than abrupt personnel changes.
The Chief Justice and Electoral Commission have yet to respond to Gbande’s comments. Legal analysts anticipate heightened scrutiny of upcoming judicial appointments, particularly as the administration seeks to distinguish its approach from predecessors. Historical precedents, such as the 2018 dismissal of high court judges over misconduct, underscore the delicate balance between reform and judicial autonomy in Ghana’s evolving democracy.
