The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, on Monday led a demonstration dubbed the “Save the Judiciary” protest, aimed at opposing the suspension and possible removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
The protest, organized by the Minority and supported by its political allies, sought to register growing concern over what they described as sustained executive interference and intimidation of the judiciary.
In his remarks during the presentation of the first petition to the Acting Judicial Secretary, Dr. Cyracus Badinye Bapuuroh, the Minority Leader emphasized that the demonstration was a peaceful constitutional exercise by concerned citizens.
“We are here as citizens of Ghana, empowered, emboldened, and encouraged by the Constitution to express our dissent and protest in a peaceful manner,” he stated.
The petition protests what the Minority describes as political attacks and undue pressure being placed on the judiciary by the Executive arm of government. According to the Minority Leader, the judiciary, which is expected to remain neutral in the democratic process, is under siege. He noted that it remains Ghana’s last hope to halt the recent “attacks” on the institution.
“The judiciary is our last hope, and we believe that what is happening undermines our democracy and the rule of law. For the Chief Justice to be singled out for this unfortunate attack based on a flimsy, pedestrian petition is deeply troubling,” he said.
He also criticized the Council of State, accusing it of failing in its duty to uphold constitutional integrity and protect democratic institutions. “We want you, as an institution, to put away your individual differences and know that it is your institution that is under attack,” he urged the Judicial Service.
Referring to recent appointments to the Supreme Court, the Minority Leader questioned the transparency and due process of the nomination procedure. He claimed that the current administration, despite previously criticizing judicial expansion, has now appointed seven new judges through what he described as a “negative reset” of due process.
“You and I know the process of nominating judges to the Supreme Court. Normally, nominations come, the Judicial Council deliberates without a timeline before making recommendations to the President. This current process did not follow that pattern,” he alleged.
He further expressed concern about growing partisanship and the risk of judicial compromise, warning of potential political retaliation in the future.
“If this vicious cycle of ‘you did it to me, I’ll do it to you’ continues, there would be no hope for our democracy,” he cautioned.
He urged judicial staff to reflect deeply on their roles, warning that temporary political incentives should not distract from the long-term health of the institution.
