Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has issued a stark warning about the state of Ghana’s democracy, cautioning that the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo signals a broader threat to judicial independence.
Speaking during a demonstration dubbed the “Save the Judiciary” protest on Monday, May 5, 2025, Afenyo-Markin criticized the process that led to the Chief Justice’s removal from office, describing it as politically motivated and rooted in a “flimsy” petition. The protest, organized by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and its coalition partners, saw the submission of a formal petition to the Supreme Court.
“The targeting of Chief Justice Torkonoo is not an isolated incident—it is a deliberate assault on the judiciary as a whole,” Afenyo-Markin declared. “This is a moment for members of the bench to rise above individual interests and defend the sanctity of their institution.”
He also took aim at the Council of State, accusing it of abdicating its responsibility to uphold democratic principles. “The Council of State has failed the government, and in doing so, it has failed the people of Ghana,” he said.
Framing the suspension as a warning to all judicial officers, Afenyo-Markin added, “Today it is Torkonoo, tomorrow it may be you. No judge should be made to feel they serve at the mercy of any political regime.”
His remarks have added fuel to the growing national debate over judicial independence and the separation of powers, with civil society organizations and legal practitioners now closely watching how the situation unfolds.
