Former independent presidential candidate, Jacob Osei Yeboah (JOY), has praised President John Dramani Mahama for the manner in which he handled the constitutional process leading to the removal of suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Sackey Torkornoo.

In a statement, JOY described the President’s “emotional intelligence, calmness, magnanimity, and adherence to the 1992 Constitution” as clear indicators of what he called “Lion-Leadership traits.”

He said President Mahama’s approach demonstrated his seriousness in resetting Ghana during his second term in office and called on all patriotic citizens, regardless of political affiliation, to rally behind him.

“The excellent attitude demonstrated by President Mahama entitles the office of His Excellency.

Even those who politically supported the dismissed Chief Justice cannot fault the President’s excellent handling of constitutional due process,” JOY noted.

He urged judges and lawyers to draw lessons from the President’s respect for constitutional provisions and stressed that justice must not only be delivered but also be seen to have been delivered.

Touching on the grounds for Justice Torkornoo’s removal, JOY suggested that while the details remain unclear, the seriousness of the matter should be fully explained to the public.

He further called for mercy and pardon to be considered should the dismissed Chief Justice and her legal team accept the outcome of the Article 146 process.

JOY also commended the Mahama administration’s first 237 days in office, scoring it 90% for stabilising the economy and for its approach to managing illegal mining without declaring a state of emergency.

He contrasted this with the policies of the previous government, which he said yielded “abysmal and ecocidal results.”

On security, JOY warned of “nation wreckers” seeking to destabilise the country through arson, ethnic clashes, and disinformation, drawing parallels with challenges faced during the early years of the late President John Evans Atta Mills’ administration.

He also urged the government to pursue the completion of court cases involving state resources to ensure accountability and recovery of lost funds.

Looking to the future, JOY advocated for nonpartisan parliaments and stronger roles for civic associations, arguing that political parties had become “neo-colonialist tools,” as forewarned by Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

He concluded by commending President Mahama’s decision not to seek re-election in 2028 and called on Ghanaians to support his administration over the remaining 42 months in office, describing it as a “national patriotic call.”