The People’s National Party (PNP) has turned to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, seeking his intervention in the unfolding constitutional crisis sparked by the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Torkornoo.
Presenting a petition at the Manhyia Palace on Tuesday, July 31, the PNP framed the suspension as not merely a political dispute but a serious threat to the independence of Ghana’s judiciary and, by extension, the country’s democratic stability.
Janet Nabila, leader of the PNP, expressed deep concern that the current government under President John Dramani Mahama appears to be attempting to consolidate power across the three arms of government, undermining the checks and balances fundamental to Ghana’s constitutional order.
“Traditional authorities have historically played a pivotal role in preserving national unity and justice when formal state mechanisms falter,” Nabila said after the palace meeting, urging the Asantehene to leverage his moral authority to de-escalate tensions.
Highlighting the symbolic significance of Justice Torkornoo’s position as the first female Chief Justice suspended under such circumstances, Nabila underscored worries about gendered political persecution and the broader implications for women in leadership.
The timing of the suspension, coinciding with the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, was also criticized by the PNP as sending mixed messages about the state’s commitment to justice and national reconciliation.
Addressing critiques about inconsistent advocacy—particularly questions about the PNP’s silence during the controversial removal of former Electoral Commission Chairperson Charlotte Osei—Nabila emphasized that their stance transcends partisan politics and remains anchored in principle.
The PNP’s petition calls on Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to mediate a path toward restoring judicial integrity, reinforcing Ghana’s democratic institutions, and preventing further erosion of public trust.
This move highlights the enduring influence of traditional leadership in Ghana’s political landscape, particularly as a stabilizing force amid institutional crises.
