NPP Urges Judiciary to Resist Alleged Political Moves Against Chief Justice
The New Patriotic Party (NPP), through its Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has called on Ghanaian judges to stand firm against what the party views as politically driven attempts to remove Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo from office. Speaking at a press briefing on April 16, 2025, following the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, the Efutu Member of Parliament expressed deep concern over recent actions by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government, which he believes are aimed at politicizing the judiciary.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin argued that such actions threaten the independence and impartiality of the judicial system. According to him, the judiciary must remain neutral and should not be drawn into partisan politics. He stated, “What we need is an unbiased judiciary that serves justice fairly. The developments we are witnessing are unacceptable, and it’s evident that the NDC is trying to interfere in the judiciary for political gain.”
The Minority Leader urged judges throughout the country to unite and resist what he described as a deliberate and questionable move to oust the Chief Justice. He also called on the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) to break its silence and publicly oppose the attempt, stating that the legal community has a responsibility to defend the integrity of the judiciary.
This controversy follows President John Mahama’s initiation of a process that could potentially lead to the Chief Justice’s removal. In response, legal representatives have filed for an injunction to halt the process. The Supreme Court has since postponed the hearing of the application to May 6, 2025.
Afenyo-Markin maintained that efforts to remove Justice Torkornoo are not based on merit but rather political motivations, which, if successful, would set a dangerous precedent for judicial independence. He stressed that the judiciary must remain a pillar of democracy, immune from political manipulation.
In closing, the NPP urged all stakeholders, especially judges and legal professionals, to safeguard the judicial system from political interference and maintain its autonomy. The party reaffirmed its support for the rule of law and called on Ghanaians to remain vigilant in defending democratic institutions.
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