Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye
The Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) is calling on the nation’s political leaders to carefully manage the growing tensions between the executive and judicial arms of government.
Speaking at the 25th General Assembly meeting at Kwahu Nkwatia, the Moderator of the Church, Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye, emphasised the need to preserve the constitutional principle of separation of powers.
The moderator’s comments come amid the ongoing impasse between the government and the suspended Chief Justice, Getrude Torkornoo.
The Chief Justice was suspended by President John Dramani Mahama after a preliminary investigation found sufficient grounds to form a committee of inquiry into petitions filed for her removal.
She has since challenged her suspension in court, arguing it was unconstitutional and lacked due process.
The church has weighed in, urging a swift and peaceful resolution to the matter.
“The Presbyterian Church of Ghana emphasises that the constitution’s principle of separation of powers must be maintained to prevent one arm of government from overstepping its authority,” the Moderator stated. He further warned that “tensions between the judiciary and the executive should be managed carefully to preserve public confidence in the judicial system.”
The church’s leadership expressed hope that all arms of government will “operate independently and without interference in service to the people of Ghana”.
Rev. Dr. Kwakye added that the church expects the constitutional position to be respected in the current situation, and it is praying that the impasse “should be swiftly and smoothly resolved amicably.”
Beyond the judicial crisis, the moderator also renewed the church’s call for urgent action against illegal mining, or galamsey.
He noted that the recent helicopter crash that killed eight officials serves as a “solemn reminder of the urgent need for decisive and lasting measures to combat the illegal mining menace”.
The church expressed alarm at the continued galamsey activity, highlighting the “release of sin excavators” and visible environmental devastation. The Moderator warned of the significant national security threat posed by the practice, which continues to destroy Ghana’s forests, rivers, and underwater bodies.
The Presbyterian Church of Ghana pledged to “liaise with other religious bodies in our resistance to galamsey” and called on the government, traditional leaders, and other stakeholders to address this “environmental injustice”.
The church also raised concerns about the social cost of galamsey, noting that only 35% of teenagers in mining communities are enrolled in schools.
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