Majority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has accused Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin of engaging in “petty politics” over recent official visits by the Chief Justice, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, to key state institutions.
Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Top Story on Monday, Mr Dafeamekpor dismissed suggestions that the Chief Justice’s engagements amounted to a “thank you tour,” insisting the visits were part of efforts to advance critical judicial reforms and strengthen cooperation among the arms of government.
His comment comes after the Minority in Parliament raised concerns about Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie’s visits to state institutions, questioning their timing and purpose.
At a press briefing on Monday, January 26, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin said the engagements with bodies such as the Ghana Police Service and Parliament give the impression of a “thank you tour” after his appointment
However, Mr Dafeamekpor said the Chief Justice’s decision to engage Parliament early in the year was strategic, to ensure that key reform proposals could be factored into the budget process when the time comes.
“Afenyo-Markin says the Chief Justice’s visit to the Speaker was a thank you tour. Really? …How does that amount to a thank you tour?” he questioned. “He has decided to detach himself from governance and do petty politics with everything.”
Responding to claims that the Chief Justice had also visited other state agencies, including the Police Headquarters and the Ministry of Finance, the Majority Chief Whip said those engagements were equally reform-driven.
He disclosed that the Chief Justice met the Inspector-General of Police to request permanent police presence at the premises of the Superior Courts, citing inadequate security at the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.
“Is that not a good reform?” he asked.
Mr Dafeamekpor further revealed that the Chief Justice had engaged the Finance Minister over accommodation challenges faced by some Court of Appeal judges and the lack of official vehicles for several superior court judges.
“These are practical issues affecting the judiciary,” he said. “How wrongful is it for the Chief Justice to engage the Finance Minister early in the year to seek support?”
He accused the Minority Leader of politicising routine institutional engagements and urged him to focus on substantive issues rather than casting aspersions.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com
