‘Save the Judiciary’ Demo; minority calls gov’t out for power abuse

The minority caucus in parliament together with other political parties hav taken to the streets of Accra to protest against the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo by President John Dramani Mahama.

The minority registered their displeasure in the government’s handling of the judiciary stating that the president is undermining the democratic norms and uses of power to intimidate political opponents.

In the May 5 demonstration, the leader of the minority caucus, Alexander Afenyo-Markin presented the groups petition to Parliament and stated that the president has “weaponised the security services”, by deploying them in “retrogressive PNDC-style raids” targeted the homes his political adversaries.

He also added, “Private citizens, including former Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Ernest Addison, and former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, have had their properties seized, their rights violated, and their dignities stripped.”

The Minority leader also condemned the various petitions that commenced the entire process for the suspension of the Chief Justice, describing is as ‘flimsy’ and ‘pedestrian’. He also called out the Council of State for entertaining the petitions.

“For the Chief Justice to be singled out for this unfortunate attack… the Council of State has failed the country. We want you as an institution to put aside your individual differences and know that it is your institution that is under attack. Maybe today it is Torkornoo; tomorrow it might be you,” he warned.

Afenyo Markin also reiterated that judicial members should be treated above partisan politics.

“You don’t serve at the whims and caprices of a political party and a government. If you wanted to be a politician, you would have been in a political party,” he said, adding that what is happening to Her Ladyship is “repugnant to good conscience.”