By Daniel Bampoe
A coalition of opposition political parties in Ghana has issued a formal petition to the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Lebanese Ambassador to Ghana, Maher Kheir, raising alarm over what they describe as a politically motivated effort by President John Dramani Mahama to undermine the country’s judiciary and dismantle democratic safeguards.
The petition, signed by leaders of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), National Democratic Party (NDP), Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), and People’s National Party (PNP), calls for urgent diplomatic intervention in the wake of the April 22, 2025 suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkonoo.
The coalition claims the move, although cloaked in constitutional legality, is part of a broader plan to restructure the judiciary to suit the political objectives of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Background
The judicial standoff traces back to President Mahama’s announcement last month that he had received three petitions against the Chief Justice, prompting her suspension and the establishment of a five-member committee to investigate the allegations.
While legal under Ghana’s constitution, critics argue the timing and speed of the process point to a premeditated political agenda.
The controversy is not entirely without precedent. As far back as 2023, then-NDC flagbearer Mahama publicly suggested that the judiciary had been stacked with judges sympathetic to the previous administration.
He urged party-aligned lawyers to prepare for future judicial appointments under an NDC government—statements that drew widespread concern from legal professionals and civil society organizations for their perceived threat to judicial independence.
The coalition now asserts that Mahama is executing that plan. Citing the recent nomination of seven new Supreme Court justices in the wake of Torkonoo’s suspension, they argue that the president is actively re-engineering the judicial hierarchy to consolidate power.
Concerns over Democratic Backsliding
In their petition, the coalition draws comparisons to recent developments in West Africa’s Sahel region, where democratic governments in Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Niger have succumbed to military coups since 2020. While Ghana has remained an outlier—often praised for its peaceful transfers of power and constitutional adherence—opposition leaders warn that the erosion of judicial independence could mark a dangerous turning point.
“Ghana’s standing as a beacon of democratic resilience is at risk,” the petition states.
“Attempts to undercut the judiciary threaten not just national stability but have ripple effects across the region.”
Allegations of Political Intimidation
Beyond the judiciary, the coalition alleges a pattern of political intimidation targeting members of the opposition, particularly officials from the former NPP administration.
According to the petition, recent arrests of NPP appointees under the guise of anti-corruption efforts reflect an abuse of executive power aimed at silencing dissent and weakening political opposition.
They compare the current administration’s approach to the authoritarian practices of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC), the military regime that preceded Ghana’s Fourth Republic and from which the NDC traces its political lineage.
Call for Diplomatic Intervention
The coalition is now appealing to the diplomatic corps in Ghana, led by Ambassador Kheir, to step in and urge the Mahama administration to reverse course.
Their demands include the immediate reinstatement of Chief Justice Torkonoo, a cessation of political harassment against opposition figures, and stronger international monitoring to ensure adherence to the rule of law.
In their petition, the parties also detailed their efforts to raise awareness within Ghana, including a nationwide protest on May 5, 2025, under the banner “SAVE THE JUDICIARY.”
Demonstrators submitted petitions to all three branches of government but have yet to receive an official response.
The coalition warns that continued inaction could further erode public trust in the judiciary and Ghana’s broader democratic institutions.
They urge the international community to reaffirm its support for judicial independence and democratic governance in Ghana before the situation deteriorates further.
