Political Parties Lead Mass Protest Against CJ Suspension

Political Parties to Demonstrate Against Unlawful Suspension of Chief Justice and Unlawful Termination of Appointments on Monday, May 5, 2025

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) and several other parties will join forces with concerned citizens in a nationwide demonstration on Monday, May 5, 2025. The protest is in response to the recent unlawful suspension of the Chief Justice, with participants standing in solidarity for Ghana’s constitutional order and judicial independence.

This decision follows an emergency meeting held on Thursday, April 24, 2025, where representatives from several political parties—including the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Liberal Party of Ghana (LP), National Democratic Party (NDP), People’s National Party (PNP), Ghana Union Movement (GUM), and others—resolved to defend the constitution and uphold the principles of democracy.

The political parties denounced the blatant disregard for the rule of law, asserting that this issue transcends politics and represents a direct assault on the very essence of democracy in Ghana. They highlighted a troubling history of judicial intimidation, particularly referencing the failed attempt by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in 2010 to remove Ghana’s first female Chief Justice, Georgina Theodora Wood.

“History is being repeated today,” the parties stated. “The NDC’s obsession with capturing and controlling every arm of government, including the independent judiciary, is unfolding before our eyes. We must not remain silent.”

This protest serves as a clarion call for all citizens to stand for justice, defend democracy, and protect the constitutional order. The coalition of political parties emphasized that they will not allow political power to undermine the foundations of the republic. “Ghanaians will not sit idly by while the independence of the judiciary is dismantled,” they declared.

The statement further warned that the current assault on the judiciary is not merely an attack on one individual but a dangerous affront to the Constitution that unites the nation. “This nationwide demonstration is not about politics; it is about principle. It is about protecting our Constitution and ensuring that the judiciary remains the last bastion of our democracy. It is about saying no to impunity.”

The coalition urged every Ghanaian who believes in the rule of law, justice, and the stability of the Republic to join the protest. “This is a fight for Ghana. This is a fight for our future. This is a fight for justice.”

In addressing the silent majority, the political parties issued a call to action, stating that the orchestrated attempt to remove the Chief Justice is part of a broader agenda by the NDC to compromise the independence of key constitutional bodies. They warned that intelligence suggests efforts are already underway to petition for the removal of the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission and her deputies. A handpicked Chief Justice presiding over judicial decisions could pave the way for complete political control over Ghana’s democratic institutions.

The statement also raised concerns about a covert plan to pursue constitutional interpretation at the Supreme Court, once reconstituted with loyalist appointments, to challenge the conventional reading of Article 66(2), potentially legitimizing John Mahama’s bid for a third term in the 2028 general elections.

On the issue of unlawful termination of appointments, the political parties asserted that creating jobs for the youth must not come at the cost of unlawfully terminating the hard-earned appointments of innocent public servants. They questioned whether this is the future promised by Mahama—a regime of fear where livelihoods are sacrificed for political vengeance.

“The signs of tyranny are clear,” the parties warned. “The posture of insensitivity and vindictiveness under Mahama’s leadership must be confronted head-on. Ghanaians must rise not in silence, but in defiance to protect their dignity, their jobs, and their democracy.”

They concluded by emphasizing that remaining indifferent in the face of such developments equates to endorsing the erosion of democratic foundations and the rise of an authoritarian state. “Now is the time to act. Now is the time to raise your voice. Be a citizen, not a spectator. Stand for democracy. Oppose dictatorship.”