Hundreds of opposition protesters took to the streets in Accra on Monday, condemning President John Mahama’s decision to suspend Ghana’s Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo. The protesters, dressed in red and black, accuse Mahama of undermining the independence of the judiciary and violating the constitution by suspending the Chief Justice without due process.
The suspension, announced last week, is the first time in Ghana’s history that a chief justice has been removed from office. President Mahama acted after receiving petitions containing undisclosed allegations against Torkornoo. The protesters, led by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), are demanding her immediate reinstatement, calling the suspension politically motivated.
The NPP’s national organizer, Nana Boakye Yiadom, told the BBC that the suspension was an attack on democracy. Several smaller opposition groups joined the demonstration, echoing the demands of the Ghana Bar Association, which has called the suspension unconstitutional.
While the protesters argue that the move is an abuse of power, some lawyers and President Mahama’s supporters defend the suspension, citing the president’s constitutional authority to remove a chief justice if there is evidence of misconduct. Ghana’s constitution allows the president to suspend or dismiss a chief justice, but critics argue that the due process was not followed.
Protesters are raising concerns that the suspension could erode judicial independence, with some youth leaders warning that the president’s actions are alarming. Chief Justice Torkornoo, who is the third woman to hold the position, has denied accusations of bias in political cases and is set to face an investigation. The outcome of the investigation will determine her fate.
