A coalition of political parties, including the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has announced plans to stage a nationwide demonstration on Monday, May 5, to protest the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
The parties say the protest is a stand in defense of Ghana’s constitutional order and the independence of the judiciary.
The decision was made during an emergency meeting held on Thursday, April 24, 2025.Other participating parties include the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), National Democratic Party (NDP), People’s National Party (PNP), Ghana Union Movement (GUM), among others.
President John Dramani Mahama suspended Chief Justice Torkornoo on Tuesday, April 22, after a prima facie case was established in relation to three separate petitions calling for her removal. The decision was made under Article 146(6) of the 1992 Constitution, following consultations with the Council of State. A five-member committee has since been formed to investigate the allegations.
In a joint statement issued on Friday, April 25, the political parties condemned the suspension, calling it a direct assault on judicial independence.
“The blatant disregard for the rule of law is not merely a political matter but rather an assault on the very soul of our democracy,” the statement said.
They further accused the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of a consistent pattern of judicial intimidation, referencing past events.
“The disturbing trend of judicial intimidation by the NDC is not new. The pattern is undeniable. A case in reference is the NDC failed plot in 2010 to remove Ghana’s first female Chief Justice, Georgina Theodora Wood,” the statement asserted.
The planned protest is expected to draw attention to what the parties describe as a growing threat to the rule of law and democratic governance in Ghana.
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