The National Coordinator of the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, has sharply criticized the Minority in Parliament for what he described as a desperate attempt to remain relevant amid the ongoing petition against Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
Vanderpuye’s comments come in the wake of the Minority’s recent appeal to religious and traditional leaders, urging them to intervene and persuade President John Dramani Mahama to halt the constitutional process concerning the Chief Justice’s potential removal. The Minority claims the petition lacks merit and does not meet the necessary constitutional threshold.
Speaking on Channel One TV on Thursday, April 17, Vanderpuye dismissed the Minority’s position, calling their reaction predictable and politically motivated.
“I think they are too much in haste to be relevant, because of their micro nature. They are too much in haste to make themselves heard,” he remarked.
He emphasized the importance of allowing the constitutional process to proceed without external interference, noting that Ghana’s legal framework clearly outlines how such matters should be handled.
“I will tell them to allow the constitutional process to engage itself fully, and when it has run its full course, then we shall all know whether Chief Justice Torkornoo has a case or not,” Vanderpuye said.
While expressing personal respect for the Chief Justice, Vanderpuye hinted at concerns within the judiciary regarding her conduct, cautioning against idealizing public figures.
“I have a lot of respect for the Chief Justice. Sometimes she portrays an angelic face, other times something else. The things some of us hear from people close to the judicial system suggest that all that glitters is not gold,” he said.
“She is not as saintly as some of us have perceived her to be. I won’t prejudge her, but I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt and hope the things I’ve heard are not true,” he added.
Vanderpuye also remarked that the Minority’s actions were anticipated, noting they follow a predictable political playbook.
“What I want them to understand is that as soon as they start thinking, we have already thought about the steps they will take. They are very predictable and allow you to determine what action they’ll take in every instance,” he concluded.
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