NDC representative rejects calls for Ghana’s chief justice to resign
Mustapha Gbande, deputy general secretary of Ghana’s ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), rejected calls by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) for Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie to resign. He stated that the head of the judiciary is not affiliated with the NDC and that his remarks are not grounds for resignation.
As MyJoyOnline reports, the dispute arose after Baffoe-Bonnie’s visits to state institutions, including the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) and the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT). The NPP questioned the appropriateness of his public comments and interactions with state institutions. The party also called on the chief justice to resign and join the NDC if he intends to comment on matters of public administration.
NDC position
Gbande stressed that the NDC has its own government mechanisms for communicating policy and the administration’s achievements and does not need the intervention of the head of the judiciary. According to him, the chief justice’s comments should not automatically be interpreted as support for the ruling party.
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The NDC representative also stated that, as a Ghanaian citizen, Baffoe-Bonnie may speak about his own observations regarding public administration. Gbande said he does not consider the chief justice’s comments about events he observed while visiting public institutions unusual.
Statements regarding MIIF
Gbande accused the NPP of attempting to create controversy around Baffoe-Bonnie’s words and called for discussion of the substance of his remarks rather than demands for his resignation. He also stated that the previous administration of President Nana Akufo-Addo and Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia had, in his assessment, mismanaged the MIIF. This is a claim by the NDC representative.
According to Gbande, the performance of state institutions should be assessed not only by the volume of revenues but also by the effectiveness of resource management.
