Ghana Opposition Protests President’s Suspension of Chief Justice
Mass Demonstrations Demand Reinstatement of Gertrude Torkornoo
Hundreds of opposition protesters dressed in red and black have taken to the streets of Accra, condemning President John Mahama’s controversial decision to suspend Ghana’s Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo. Demonstrators are demanding her immediate reinstatement, calling the move an unconstitutional attack on judicial independence.
Unprecedented Suspension Sparks Outrage
The suspension marks the first time in Ghana’s history that a chief justice has been removed from office. The action came after President Mahama cited three petitions containing undisclosed allegations against Justice Torkornoo, who was appointed two years ago by former President Nana Akufo-Addo.
Nana Boakye Yiadom, national organizer of the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), told the BBC: “This is politically motivated and an attack on democracy.” The NPP-led protest was joined by three smaller opposition groups and supported by the Ghana Bar Association, which called the suspension unconstitutional.
Constitutional Debate Intensifies
While Ghana’s constitution grants chief justices security of tenure until retirement, it also empowers the president to suspend or remove them for proven misconduct. This has sparked heated debate:
- Opposition and legal groups argue due process was violated
- Government supporters maintain the president acted within his powers
- Protesters claim the judiciary is under political attack
Protester Serwaa Akoto questioned: “Why is he suspending the chief justice?” while fellow demonstrator Charles Oteng warned: “We the youth will not sit for him to do whatever he wants.”
Political Tensions Rise
Justice Torkornoo, Ghana’s third female chief justice, faces allegations of bias in high-profile political cases from Mahama’s National Democratic Congress party – accusations she denies. She is expected to appear before an investigative committee to address the claims.
The controversy has deepened political divisions in Ghana, with many watching closely to see how this unprecedented constitutional challenge will be resolved.