A coalition of political groups, including the New Patriotic Party (NPP), is set to hold a nationwide demonstration on May 5 to protest the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
The rally is organized to protect the integrity of Ghana’s constitution and safeguard the independence of the judiciary.
The decision to mobilize for the protest came after an emergency meeting on April 24, 2025.
In addition to the NPP, several other parties, such as the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), National Democratic Party (NDP), People’s National Party (PNP), and Ghana Union Movement (GUM), will join the protest.
On April 22, President John Dramani Mahama suspended Chief Justice Torkornoo after three separate petitions were submitted, raising concerns about her conduct.
This action was taken under Article 146(6) of the Constitution, following discussions with the Council of State. A five-member panel was established to investigate the allegations.
The political coalition issued a statement on April 25, condemning the suspension and calling it an affront to 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.
The coalition also criticized the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for its ongoing attempts to undermine the judiciary, citing historical instances as evidence.
They highlighted a specific example from 2010, when the NDC attempted to remove Ghana’s first female Chief Justice, Georgina Theodora Wood, though the plot ultimately failed.
They emphasized that this was part of a larger, troubling trend.
“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 protest is intended to shed light on what the parties view as a mounting danger to both the rule of law and the country’s democratic principles.
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