By Issah Olegor
In an explosive address during the #SaveTheJudiciary protest on Monday, May 5, 2025, Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, accused President John Dramani Mahama of dictatorial governance, warning that Ghana’s democracy is under siege following the controversial suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
The demonstration, organized by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in collaboration with other opposition groups, began at the Supreme Court and ended at the Jubilee House.
Thousands of demonstrators—clad in symbolic red and black—marched peacefully through the streets of Accra, calling for the reinstatement of the Chief Justice and the preservation of judicial independence.
A Dictatorship in Democratic Clothing
Addressing the charged crowd, Afenyo-Markin minced no words. “We march today to resist the rise of a new oppressor and an oppressive regime,” he declared.
“We march against the one who wears the cloth of democracy but governs with the spirit of dictatorship.”
The Effutu MP’s remarks echoed widespread concerns across political and civil society spheres over what is seen as an alarming pattern of executive interference in Ghana’s judiciary.
The Chief Justice’s suspension, which the presidency attributes to alleged misconduct and judicial bias, has been widely condemned by legal associations, political observers, and international stakeholders.
Background to the Crisis
Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, appointed in 2023 as the 15th Chief Justice of Ghana, was known for her no-nonsense stance on corruption and reforms within the judiciary.
Her abrupt suspension by President Mahama a couple of weeks ago, without consultation with key constitutional bodies such as the Judicial Council and Parliament, has raised red flags about the erosion of democratic checks and balances.
The Executive’s move sparked swift backlash from the Ghana Bar Association, constitutional law experts, and governance think tanks, who see the action as a violation of the separation of powers as enshrined in Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.
March for Justice, Not Partisanship
Afenyo-Markin emphasized that the protest was a national democratic duty, not a partisan affair.
“We march not as partisans, but because the Constitution demands it,” he said.
“Today, it is the Chief Justice. Tomorrow, it could be Parliament, the Electoral Commission, or any other pillar of our democracy.”
Alongside Afenyo-Markin were key NPP figures including Communications Director Richard Ahiagba and Nhyeaso MP Stephen Amoah.
They presented a petition at the Supreme Court and later at the gates of Jubilee House, demanding accountability and constitutional compliance in the handling of the judiciary.
Public Order
The protest was heavily monitored by police officers, who ensured public order throughout the march.
Despite tensions and high political stakes, the demonstration proceeded peacefully with no reports of violence or arrest.
A Nation on the Brink?
The unfolding political standoff has intensified debate over the state of Ghana’s democracy.
Critics argue that the Mahama administration has demonstrated a worrying tendency toward consolidating power.
Others warn that the President’s actions risk setting a dangerous precedent, one that could undo decades of democratic progress.
While government spokespersons maintain that due process is being followed, opposition forces insist the move is both unlawful and politically motivated.
