If Torkonoo Is a Cry Baby, Then Mahama Is Behaving Like a Bully – Woyoe Ghanamannti Fires Back at NDC’s Amaliba

Former Convention People’s Party (CPP) running mate, Woyoe Ghanamannti Esq., has strongly rebuked comments by NDC legal practitioner Abraham Amaliba, who recently described former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo as a “cry baby.”

Speaking on Prime Insight on Saturday, October 18, 2025, Ghanamannti said Amaliba’s remark was “disrespectful to the judiciary” and undermines the principle of constitutional equality.

“For my learned friend Amaliba to say that the former Chief Justice of this republic is behaving like a cry baby, then I can equally also say that the President is behaving like a bully,” he argued. “The Chief Justice is the third most important person in this country.”

He criticised what he called a dangerous trend of elevating the presidency above other constitutional offices, cautioning that such thinking weakens Ghana’s democracy.

“Article 1 of the Constitution says the sovereignty of this nation resides in the people. Government, whether NDC or NPP, exercises authority on behalf of the people. Saying ‘the President, the President,’ as if he is more important than all of us, is wrong,” Ghanamannti said.

He continued, “It’s not about President Mahama or Akufo-Addo or even Kwame Nkrumah. I’m talking about the position — the President is not a demigod. It’s only in Africa — and only in Ghana — that we make presidents demigods. They are ordinary citizens chosen through elections. They can be removed under Article 69 of the Constitution.”

Defending Justice Torkonoo’s ongoing legal challenge to her removal, Ghanamannti said she is acting fully within her constitutional rights.

“What the woman is doing falls under Article 33 and Order 55 — she’s seeking judicial review of an administrative process, and that’s her right. It strengthens our democracy and reinforces the rule of law,” he stated.

He urged Ghanaians to respect the separation of powers and resist attempts to politicise judicial independence.

“When such matters arise, let’s give due respect to the Chief Justice and to the rule of law,” he said, warning that no office — not even the presidency — should be placed above constitutional scrutiny.

Background:

Former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo is contesting the legality of her removal from office. Petitions submitted to President John Mahama under Article 146 led to the establishment of a five-member committee chaired by Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang to investigate her alleged misconduct.

Before the committee concluded its work, Torkonoo filed suits at the Supreme Court and High Court, challenging the process as unconstitutional and biased. Despite her legal action, the committee proceeded and presented its report to the President.

President Mahama subsequently nominated Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as the next Chief Justice — a move Justice Torkonoo is challenging in court, insisting that the appointment is premature until her substantive case is fully determined.