Femi Falana criticizes ECOWAS Court's dismissal of former Chief Justice Torkornoo's human rights case
via GhanaWeb4 min read
Nigerian lawyer Femi Falana, representing former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, has criticized the ECOWAS Court's decision to dismiss her human rights case. Falana stated that the judgment departed from the court's established legal principles, arguing it failed to apply standards used in similar cases involving judges from Nigeria, The Gambia, and Liberia. Torkornoo had sought relief for alleged violations of her rights to a fair hearing, work, information, and dignity. Falana contended that the court wrongly declined to examine the reasons for Torkornoo's removal, claiming it would interfere in Ghana's domestic affairs, despite having done so in previous cases. He also argued that some allegations against Torkornoo, such as deploying judicial staff, traveling with her husband, and making Supreme Court appointment recommendations, were not valid grounds for removal. Falana challenged the investigation committee's composition, noting that two Supreme Court justices on the committee had previously sat on cases with Torkornoo that later formed part of the allegations against her. He further criticized the court's finding that President John Dramani Mahama was not required to provide reasons for a prima facie case. Falana highlighted that the Pwamang Committee submitted its report to the President before the scheduled adoption of written addresses, which he considered a violation of fair hearing. He also questioned the committee's handling of multiple petitions and the failur
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.
Mental Health Practitioner, Addiction Specialist, and Counselling Psychologist Esther Kyewaa Opoku has urged families to identify early warning signs of mental health challenges in mothers. She emphasized that delaying support can lead to manageable conditions escalating into serious crises. Opoku noted that many women experience emotional and psychological changes during and after pregnancy, which are often dismissed as stress until severe. She listed persistent sadness, frequent crying, withdrawal, loss of interest in the baby, sleep disturbances, changes in appetite, and overwhelming feelings as warning signs that should not be ignored. Opoku cautioned that untreated postpartum depression can progress to psychosis, potentially leading to hallucinations, aggression, or thoughts of self-harm or harming the baby. She also advised against attributing all mental health conditions solely to spiritual causes, as this can delay professional care. Opoku encouraged relatives, friends, and spouses to monitor changes in a mother's behavior, check on her wellbeing, and ensure timely emotional and professional support, stressing that early intervention can prevent mothers from reaching a breaking point and protect both their and their children's wellbeing.
Justice Cecilia Koranteng-Addow, one of Ghana's three murdered High Court judges, is remembered as an influential jurist more than four decades after her death. A publication by legal practitioner Emmanuella Naa Aklerh Okantey on The Law Platform, released on June 30, 2026, marked the 44th anniversary of the abduction and murder of Justices Frederick Poku Sarkodee, Cecilia Koranteng-Addow, and Kwadwo Agyei Agyepong. Okantey described Justice Koranteng-Addow as a jurist whose legacy continues to shape Ghana's legal system, distinguishing herself through intellectual rigor, fearless independence, and judicial opinions known for clarity, precision, and commitment to the rule of law. Her judgments avoided unnecessary legal complexity, presenting legal issues plainly and arriving at reasoned conclusions understandable to both lawyers and non-lawyers. Notable decisions include Republic v Minister for the Interior; Ex parte Bombelli, where she affirmed judicial scrutiny of ministerial powers, stating that "the people are ruled by law and not by men." In Mensah and Others v The Republic, she emphasized the need for prosecutors to prove every element of a criminal offense with credible evidence. Her ruling in Republic v Director of Prisons; Ex parte Lloyd Shackleford reaffirmed the importance of habeas corpus and the State's burden to prove the legality of detention. Justice Koranteng-Addow's judgments remain essential reading in Ghana's law faculties, serving as examples of effective
A Ghanaian residing in the United States has criticized successive Ghanaian governments for their failure to utilize waste as an economic resource, attributing poor waste management to contributing to flooding. In a video, the man, who has worked at a US landfill for over 15 years, suggested that Ghana could generate economic value from waste, improve sanitation, and reduce flood risks. His comments followed severe floods in the Greater Accra Region on June 29, 2026, which resulted in fatalities and property damage. He highlighted that US landfill sites convert waste into useful resources, including gas for waste collection trucks, and questioned why Ghanaian officials do not adopt similar models during international visits. He also praised the strict operational standards at US landfills, where refuse is not allowed to fall from trucks during transport, and suggested that heavy-duty equipment used in US landfill operations could be deployed in Ghana for waste management instead of illegal mining.