A constitutional lawyer, Yaw Anokye Frimpong, has asserted that whatever the Male Chief Justices of Ghana did in the past, the women can also do it and do it well.
He said this in connection to the swearing in of Justice Gertrude Araba Essaba Sackey Torkornoo as the new Chief Justice of Ghana.
Justice Gertrude Araba Essaba Sackey Torkornoo happens to be the third chief Justice of the Republic.
First, it was Her Ladyship Georgina Theodora Wood who was appointed in 2007 and retired in 2017.
She swore in three presidents during her decade in charge – the incumbent Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo (2017).
She swore in late John Evans Atta Mills (2009) and then twice swore in former President John Dramani Mahama (2012 – upon the death of President Mills) and in 2013 when Mahama eventually won 2012 polls.
The second female Chief Justice of Ghana was Justice Sophia Abena Boafoa Akuffo (Rtd.) who was the Chief Justice of Ghana from 19 June 2017 until 20 December 2019.
Now, the third, Justice Torkornoo who was nominated by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo in April 2023 was approved by Parliament on June 7, 2023 and on June 12, 2023, she was sworn in.
Read Also: Justice Torkornoo nominated as Ghana’s next Chief Justice: Will be 3rd female to hold position
Speaking on Atinka TV’s morning show, Ghana Nie with Ama Gyenfa Ofosu Darkwa, Lawyer Yaw Anokye Frimpong said those who came before Justice Torkornoo were known for remarkable feats in their line of duties, urging her to emulate the same.
“It is irrelevant whether someone is a woman or a man at this time. By the Grace of God, if we’ve had three female Chief Justices and nothing terrible has happened, it means that a woman can do anything a man can do,” he said.
Lawyer, Yaw Anokye Frimpong also debunked notions that the Chief Justice will be influenced by the Executive because the President appointed her.
The fact that the President appointed her and administered the oath of office does not indicate that she vowed allegiance to the President as a person or his political party, he said, adding that she swore allegiance to the Republic and not the President’s political party.
Lawyer, Yaw Anokye Frimpong therefore urged all to desist from thinking the Chief Justice will be influenced by the President.
Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori
