‘You sounded like an NDC official’ – Arthur Kennedy criticises Chief Justice

Dr. Arthur Kennedy, a political activist and physician, has criticized Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie for making comments during a visit to state-owned institutions. Kennedy argued that the Chief Justice’s remarks appeared to be a form of political commentary rather than an objective evaluation of the institutions’ performance.

The Chief Justice, during his visit to the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) on September 2, praised the performance of some state-owned enterprises and noted the lack of progress made by Ghana over the past eight years. He also visited the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and remarked on the improvement of the institution’s performance compared to its previous state.

Kennedy questioned the Chief Justice’s decision to evaluate the performance of state-owned enterprises publicly, stating that the remarks could give the impression that the Chief Justice was taking a political stance. He emphasized that the Chief Justice should focus on addressing issues within the Judiciary and areas where the institution could improve.

The controversy has sparked political debate, with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) demanding the Chief Justice’s resignation, accusing him of making partisan comments and raising doubts about his neutrality as the head of the Judiciary. The governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), however, has rejected the call for resignation, arguing that the Chief Justice has not demonstrated any affiliation with the NPP nor made comments that warrant his removal.