NPP and a coalition of political parties demonstrate against the Chief Justice’s suspension in Accra.
As the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and a coalition of allied political groups take to the streets in a ferocious protest against what they see as a “politically engineered assault” on Ghana’s judiciary, Accra is poised for political turmoil today.
The NPP and its allies claim that Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo’s suspension, which is at the centre of the controversy, is an act of political meddling that puts Ghana on a precarious route towards undermining judicial independence.
This is about more than one judge. NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong urged supporters ahead of what he says will be a tremendous display of defiance, saying, “It’s about the soul of our democracy.”
“No judge will be immune from political retaliation if we allow this to continue.”
In a rare alliance brought together by their outrage over what they describe as a constitutional violation masterminded by forces loyal to the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), National Democratic Party (NDP), People’s National Party (PNP), Ghana Union Movement (GUM), and others are joining the protest.
The coalition warns that today’s demonstration is just the start if their demands for accountability and reinstatement are not fulfilled, accusing the administration of engaging in “calculated and dangerous interference” in the courts.
Kodua Frimpong said that the Constitution is unambiguous.
“What has transpired breaches the law, erodes public trust, and erodes the foundations of justice in our nation.”
Public opinion has been strongly divided by the demonstration. Supporters praise it as an essential preservation of judicial autonomy, while detractors claim the NPP is abusing constitutional procedures and using crowd pressure to thwart valid legal reviews.
The GBA has already chosen sides, calling for the suspension to be immediately lifted and denouncing it as unlawful. However, not all legal experts concur.
Although contentious, the events that are taking place are still within the parameters of constitutional procedure and shouldn’t be allowed to be ruined by street agitation, warns Dr. John Osae-Kwapong of CDD-Ghana.
He pleaded, “Let the institutions function.”
With general elections approaching in December, today’s protest could turn into a crisis in Ghana’s already tumultuous political landscape as tensions are high and both sides are squabbling.
According to security agencies, they are ready. To prevent violence, there will be a significant police presence across Accra, along with planned traffic detours and crowd-control techniques.
