Why Ghana’s Chief Justice Must Rise Above Partisan Politics

What should we be debating?
Legal reforms? Case backlogs? Access to justice?

Or holiday bills?
When the Chief Justice’s office gets dragged into partisan politics, the energy meant to fix our justice system is wasted fighting personalities instead.

Once the symbol of justice starts wearing party colours, the scales stop balancing. They tip.

Ghana’s judiciary has been our anchor not because judges are perfect, but because that office is supposed to be above party flags, campaign rallies, and political score-settling. The moment the CJ’s office is viewed through a partisan lens, every Ghanaian pays the price.

1. Justice delayed becomes justice denied

Courts exist for the trader in Makola, the student in Tamale, the farmer in Timonde, and the CEO in Accra.

If the CJ’s office is seen as “Party A’s CJ” or “Party B’s CJ,” then justice starts to look like it depends on which party is in power, not on law and evidence.

That perception alone does damage. People stop trusting the courts. They settle disputes with force, money, or connections. When trust in the bench collapses, society loses its referee.

2. Politicization makes the CJ a political target

Recent events have shifted the conversation from “what the law says” to “who appointed whom.”

The removal of the former CJ and appointment of a new one means every vacation, statement, and administrative decision is now monitored through a political lens.

3. Judicial independence protects democracy

Parties win elections. Parties lose elections. That’s democracy. But the Constitution and individual rights must outlive any 4-year cycle.

Article 125 of the 1992 Constitution is clear: “Justice shall be administered by the Judiciary” and “the judiciary shall be independent.”

Independence means freedom from the Executive, Legislature, and political parties.

If the CJ’s office becomes a partisan prize, no citizen can be sure their rights are safe when their party is out of power. Today it’s your opponent. Tomorrow it’s you.

4. The cost is higher than we think
The “price of the party t-shirt” hits all of us:

- Investor confidence: “Will my contract be judged by law or by politics?”

- Public trust: When courts look biased, faith in democracy erodes.

- Judicial morale: Lower court judges take cues from the top. Politicization at the top weakens impartiality everywhere.

The way forward: De-politicize, don’t de-personalize

Ghanaians must question spending and demand transparency. That’s accountability, not politicization.

Politicization is reducing the office to “our person” vs “their person.” It’s when appointments and removals are driven by party loyalty, not constitutional standards.

To protect the office, we must:
1. Focus on institutions – fund the courts, cut case backlogs, expand legal aid.

2. Let the law speak – allow the CJ to work without party commentary on every move.

Ghana’s democracy is only as strong as its weakest institution. A politicized Chief Justice means a weakened judiciary. A weakened judiciary means a weakened Ghana.

The Chief Justice must wear the black robe of the law, not the t-shirt of any party. Because when justice wears party colours, we all lose.

BY Silas Atariba Atiah
Citizen of Ghana, student of the University of Cape Coast