The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of appointing loyalists of the New Patriotic Party to the country’s courts to have control of the judiciary and escape post-regime accountability.

This follows Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo’s recommendation of five judges to be appointed as Supreme Court Judges.

Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, General Secretary of the NDC at a press conference on Thursday expressed the NDC’s concern about the worrying trend of the appointment of judges by the president.

He indicated that such deliberate politicisation of independent state institutions could negatively impact the peace of the country.

Mr Kwetey noted that the issue of judges’ appointment to the Supreme Court must be of national concern.

“We are concerned about a worrying pattern which irresistibly suggests that the President is appointing only loyalists of his party to these courts to have control of the judiciary and escape post-regime accountability. It is also very clear that the President is packing the courts ahead of the impending presidential and parliamentary elections with judges who are sympathetic to his party.

“Such deliberate politicisation and bastardisation of independent institutions of state, including the judiciary, can negatively impact the peace and stability of our democracy.”

“It is trite knowledge that without a fair and impartial judiciary, democracy and constitutionalism suffer. That is why this must be an issue of huge national concern as it adds to the many other issues that already pose threats to the peace and stability of Ghana’s democracy,” he stated.