Investigative Journalist Manasseh Azure says Supreme Court nominee Justice Clemence Honyenuga would have been punished if he had praised John Mahama, like he did Akufo-Addo at a durbar of chiefs and people of the Afajato South District.

According to Manasseh, his endorsement of some achievements of the Akufo-Addo government is unacceptable irrespective of his position whether as a judge or a chief.

This comes after the Supreme Court Judge Nominee Justice Clemence Jackson Honyenuga revealed during his vetting in parliament today, that he did not endorse the presidency of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in his personal capacity but did so on behalf of the chiefs and people of Afadjato when the President visited the Volta region.

Justice Clemence Honyenuga earlier this year, in his welcome address to President Akufo-Addo at a durbar of chiefs and people of the Afajato South District, was full of praise for the Akufo-Addo-led administration.

He is reported to have said “We wish to congratulate you for the excellent manner you are governing this dear country of ours, Ghana, and the significant gains made in the economy in your first term”, adding: “It is true that you have won high admiration, not only in Africa but also in advanced democracies.

“Your flagship programmes, like the Free Senior High School, Planting for Food and Jobs – which has increased food production and has even led to exports; – One District-One Factory, among others, has (sic) increased food production and has (sic) improved upon the standard of living of many Ghanaians”, he said.

“Indeed”, he added: “For special mention is the Free SHS, which has broken boundaries and has greatly bridged the gap between the rich and the poor”, observing: “This programme has also broken the record, which was held by the first President of the Republic of Ghana, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, who gave free education to our brothers and sisters in the northern part of Ghana”.

The chief continued thus: “Your Free SHS programme is unprecedented in the history of Ghana, in a first term, as it covers the whole country”.

During the vetting of Justice Honyenuga who was being vetted in parliament said he only read the statement on behalf of the chiefs in the region. He however apologized to those who are unhappy with his statement.

“[For] my part, if out of political dissatisfaction, some people are unhappy with whatever I am supposed to have said, then I am sorry,” Justice Honyenuga told Parliament on Monday, 11 May 2020 while being vetted by the Appointments Committee.

Reacting to this on a Facebook Manasseh Azure said, the judicial service would have punished him if he had endorsed Mahama during a similar occasion.

“Whether as a judge or as a paramount chief, your endorsement of President Akufo-Addo was unacceptable! The Judicial Service would have punished you if you had endorsed Mahama.” He said