A coalition of political parties, spearheaded by the New Patriotic Party (NPP), is set to organize a protest today, Monday, May 5, in response to what the NPP characterizes as a politically motivated assault on judicial independence following the contentious suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.

The demonstration will see party members and supporters march through the main streets of Accra. Other political entities joining the protest include the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), the National Democratic Party (NDP), the People’s National Party (PNP), and the Ghana Union Movement (GUM), among others.

The NPP claims that this action is a reaction to what it describes as a “calculated and dangerous interference” in the judicial system by political figures associated with the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).

NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong has accused those responsible for the suspension of attempting to undermine public confidence in the judiciary. He contended that the process leading to the Chief Justice’s suspension violated the tenets of the 1992 Constitution and cautioned that allowing such actions to occur unchecked could establish a perilous precedent for the future of judicial independence in Ghana.

The upcoming demonstration has elicited mixed responses. Supporters view it as a rightful civic action aimed at safeguarding democratic institutions, while detractors accuse the NPP of politicizing a constitutional matter and utilizing street protests to preempt legal proceedings.

The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has already denounced the suspension, labeling it unconstitutional and calling for an immediate reversal of the decision. Conversely, some legal analysts, including Dr. John Osae-Kwapong from the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), assert that the ongoing developments are part of constitutional processes that should be allowed to progress.

As tensions escalate, today’s protest is anticipated to serve as a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal and political conflict, with potential repercussions for Ghana’s governance and democratic landscape as the December general elections approach. In the meantime, security agencies have assured the public of their readiness to facilitate a peaceful protest, with measures in place to manage traffic and prevent any disruptions.