A group of concerned political parties, spearheaded by the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has formally submitted a petition to Parliament, urging the House to intervene and advocate for the reversal of President John Dramani Mahama’s suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
The petitioners contend that the suspension undermines judicial independence and violates constitutional principles.
During the presentation of the petition, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin accused President Mahama of attempting to influence the judiciary through recent appointments, allegedly to pave the way for a third term in office.
He further alleged that the president’s next move would be to appoint an NDC loyalist to chair the Electoral Commission. According to him, the current government has resorted to intimidation to gain an unfair advantage.
He described the actions as a “dangerous coordinated attack on Ghana’s constitutional democracy” and called on Parliament to stand in solidarity with the political parties in defending neutrality and the values of the constitution within the judiciary.
Receiving the petition, the Clerk of Parliament, Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, pledged to transmit the document to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, for appropriate action, assuring the House will, on their part, do the needful to ensure justice is upheld.
The petition follows President Mahama’s suspension of Chief Justice Torkornoo on April 22, 2025, after receiving three petitions against her. The president, after consulting with the Council of State, determined that a prima facie case had been established, leading to the formation of a committee to investigate the allegations.
The specific details of the accusations have not been disclosed to the public .
The suspension has sparked widespread debate, with critics arguing that it sets a concerning precedent for executive interference in the judiciary.
Meanwhile, supporters of the President maintain that the action is within his constitutional rights to ensure accountability within the judiciary.
