Tuesday, 06 May

Weija-Gbawe MP leads 'Jama' protest over Chief Justice’s suspension

Politics
Jerry Ahmed Shiab in action at the demo

Member of Parliament for Weija-Gbawe, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, on Monday, May 5, 2025, led scores of demonstrators in chants and songs during the “Save the Judiciary Demo,” a protest organised to oppose the recent suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.

The demonstration, spearheaded by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in collaboration with the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), National Democratic Party (NDP), and the People’s National Party (PNP), drew widespread attention as protestors voiced strong concerns over what they labelled as political interference in the judiciary.

Participants warned that the removal of the Chief Justice threatened the independence and integrity of one of Ghana’s most critical democratic institutions.

The suspension, according to government sources, was based on the establishment of a prima facie case through three separate petitions submitted against the Chief Justice.

Following the suspension, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, the most senior member of the Supreme Court, has assumed the role of Acting Chief Justice in accordance with Article 144(6) of the 1992 Constitution.

The constitutional provision mandates that the most senior Justice takes over in such situations where the substantive Chief Justice is unable to perform their duties.

Amid growing public outcry, the coalition of political parties has submitted a formal petition to Parliament, urging lawmakers to intervene and persuade the President to rescind the suspension.

They argue that the move sets a dangerous precedent and undermines the principle of judicial independence.

 

 

Source: Classfmonline.com/Cecil Mensah