Ghanaian MP questions chief justice’s visits to state institutions
Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi, has questioned Ghana Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie’s visits to state institutions. The politician described such trips as unprecedented and unclear, MyJoyOnline reports.
Visits to state institutions
This includes visits to the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) and the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT). Nkrumah, who previously served as information minister, said such visits were atypical for the judiciary.
The MP made the comments on Wednesday, September 2, during the Ekosiisen programme on Asempa FM. This came after Baffoe-Bonnie positively assessed the work of MIIF and other state institutions under the current administration.
During his visit to MIIF, the chief justice said that what he had seen in state institutions made him wonder what Ghana had been doing over the previous eight years. He also noted that his earlier visit to SSNIT had reinforced the impression of significantly improved performance by some state institutions.
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Questions about judicial independence
According to Nkrumah, he does not recall cases in recent political history where a chief justice made official trips to state-owned enterprises. The MP stressed that the judiciary is a separate and independent branch of government that traditionally keeps its distance from the activities of the executive and legislative branches.
Nkrumah also said that members of the judiciary usually avoid public events that could draw them into political or administrative matters. He noted that Baffoe-Bonnie had previously faced criticism because some people considered him close to officials of the ruling National Democratic Congress.
In the MP’s view, official visits and comments on the work of state institutions may heighten concerns about the judiciary being drawn into matters traditionally associated with the executive branch. Nkrumah stressed that the judiciary must remain independent and not take part in political and administrative discussions.
