Mr Stan Xoese Dogbe, the Deputy Chief of Staff in-charge of Operations at the Presidency, has reiterated President John Dramani Mahama’s peaceful nature and commitment to protecting Ghana’s democracy.
The Deputy Chief of Staff made the remarks when he, on behalf of the President, received a petition from a coalition of political parties including the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), which were protesting the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
The petition was presented to Mr Dogbe in front of the Presidency in Accra by Mr Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, the NPP Parliamentary Minority Leader, at the end of a street protest by members of the Coalition through some principal streets of Accra, calling for the reinstatement of the suspended Chief Justice.
The suspension of the Chief Justice follows the presentation of three petitions to the President calling for her removal from office, which were forwarded by him to the Council of State for consideration, and a prima facie was case established against her.
Subsequently, a committee has since been set up by the President to investigate the suspended Chief Justice.
Mr Dogbe speaking after receiving the petition on behalf of the President noted that President Mahama was not a leader who engages in political retaliation, which was in a sharp contrast to the previous administration.
The Deputy Chief of Staff said President Mahama remained focused on unity and nation-building, not revenge.
“You can be assured, however, that President Mahama, as every Ghanaian knows, is not that politician. President Mahama does not believe in retaliatory politics.”
Touching on the suspension of the Chief Justice, Mr Dogbe underscored that President Mahama actions were constitutionally grounded and in line with due process.
“Whatever actions that are being taken now, whatever decisions that are being taken now, as everybody knows, is in line with the provisions of our 1992 Constitution,” he said.
“The process that is ongoing is constitutional and I do believe that if the Committee that has been set completes its work, whatever decisions that they make, just as the Council of State advised to the President, it will be binding on him.”
He lauded the demonstrators for their peaceful conduct and reiterated the administration’s commitment to protecting civil liberties.
“I can assure you and the people of Ghana that we appreciate the fact that just as government ensures that you went about your demonstration peacefully, there was one also last weekend, peacefully without any attempt at preventing you from expressing yourselves, we will continue to allow for that peaceful expression of ourselves in this country under President Mahama.”
