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Former Member of Parliament for Anyaa Sowutuom, Dr. Dickson Adomako Kissi, has clarified that the recent protest organised by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and allied political groups was not a personal attack on Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, but a broader call to protect the independence of Ghana’s judiciary.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Tuesday, May 6, Dr. Kissi expressed concern that President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to suspend the Chief Justice could set a harmful precedent that threatens the integrity of Ghana’s democratic system.
“It is not really about the woman, it is about the position, and it is not about it being an NDC government,” he explained. “This protest is supposed to be a mark for Ghana to be very careful in the future because I envision every president now coming and wanting to nominate the Speaker of Parliament and change the Chief Justice.”
He cautioned that such trends could dangerously tip the balance of power in favour of the executive, undermining the constitutional principle of separation of powers.
“What we are trying to do is empower the executive more than the other arms of government. The independence of the Judiciary is at stake, and the checks and balances in our system ought to be looked at. What is at stake now is not necessarily the woman but the independence of the judiciary being thrown out,” Dr. Kissi added.
His comments came a day after the NPP and a coalition of opposition parties marched through Accra on Monday, May 5, in protest against the suspension of Chief Justice Torkornoo. The demonstrators accused the Mahama-led administration of eroding judicial independence and weakening the rule of law.
The coalition formally submitted petitions to the Presidency, Parliament, and the Judiciary. At the Jubilee House, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin presented the group’s petition to Deputy Chief of Staff in Charge of Operations, Stan Dogbe.
The coalition is urging President Mahama to reverse the suspension and uphold the sanctity of Ghana’s democratic institutions.
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