Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has sounded alarm bells over what he describes as growing threats to Ghana’s democratic institutions under the current administration, accusing President John Dramani Mahama of pursuing a divisive political agenda.
Speaking during a protest led by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Monday, May 5, Afenyo-Markin criticised the recent suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, calling it a dangerous precedent with far-reaching implications for judicial independence.
The protest, which saw NPP members and supporters converge on Parliament after marching through Accra’s streets, culminated in the submission of a petition demanding a parliamentary probe into the suspension of the Chief Justice. The demonstrators argue that the decision lacks constitutional merit and is politically motivated.
“Our democracy is at a crossroads,” Afenyo-Markin declared after presenting the petition. “What we are witnessing is not an attempt to strengthen institutions, but a concerted effort to weaken and control them.”
He accused the Mahama administration of undermining the judiciary and weaponising state power against perceived opponents. The Minority Leader’s remarks come amid intensifying debate over executive interference in supposedly independent institutions.
While the government has yet to formally respond to the protest, Afenyo-Markin maintained that the stakes go beyond politics: “This isn’t about party lines. It’s about preserving the rule of law and ensuring that no government, regardless of who is in power, feels emboldened to override constitutional checks and balances.”
Observers say Monday’s protest marks a significant moment in Ghana’s political calendar as tensions continue to rise ahead of the December elections.
