NPP and other parties plan May 5 demonstration over CJ’s suspension

A grouping of polity parties, including the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has revealed plans to organize a countrywide demonstration on Monday, May 5, to protest the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.

The parties say the protest is in support of Ghana’s constitutional framework and the independence of the judiciary system. The decision was made during an urgent gathering which took place on Thursday, April 24, 2025. Additional 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, following a preliminary investigation which was connected to three separate cases calling for her removal. The decision was made under Article 146(6) of the 1992 Constitution, after consulting with the Council of State. A five-member committee was subsequently established to probe the allegations.

According to a joint statement on Friday, April 25, The parties strongly criticized the suspension, describing it as a blatant attack on judicial autonomy. The statement emphasized that “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.”

They further accused the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of a systematic attempts to intimidate the judiciary, mentioning earlier events. The statement pointed out that “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 demonstration is expected to spotlight what the parties describe as a raising challenge to the democratic institutions of our country Ghana

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