‘Chief Justice misspoke; it was a political comparison’ – Kwasi Kwarteng on SOE remarks

Kwasi Kwarteng, the lawyer and New Patriotic Party (NPP) communicator, has defended Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie over his recent remarks on the performance of state-owned enterprises (SOEs). Kwarteng stated that the Chief Justice's comments were an inappropriate political comparison between two administrations and were inconsistent with the restraint expected from the head of the Judiciary.

He emphasized that it was not the truthfulness of the comments that mattered, but their appropriateness given the stature of his office. Kwarteng argued that the Chief Justice's reference to Ghana's performance over the past eight years amounted to a political comparison between two political parties, which is a no-go area. He insisted that ethics and moral standards are essential considerations when evaluating the actions of high-ranking public officials, rather than just the factual accuracy of their statements.

Kwarteng also questioned the basis for the Chief Justice's assessment, stating that it seemed to be based on hearsay rather than independently verified evidence. He highlighted that the Judiciary derives its authority from the respect, prestige, and sanctity associated with the judicial office, rather than from physical force.