Former Member of Parliament for Anyaa Sowutuom, Dr. Dickson Adomako Kissi, has clarified that the protest led by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was not about Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo as an individual, but rather the broader implications for Ghana’s judicial independence.
Speaking in an interview, Adomako Kissi cautioned that President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to suspend the Chief Justice could set a dangerous precedent, potentially disrupting the balance of power within Ghana’s democratic framework.
“It is not really about the woman, it is about the position, and it is not about it being an NDC government. This protest is supposed to be a mark for Ghana to be very careful in the future because I envision every president now coming and wanting to nominate the Speaker of Parliament and change the Chief Justice”.
Adomako Kissi warned that such a move could undermine the principle of separation of powers, noting that judicial independence must be safeguarded to prevent excessive executive control over governance.
“What we are trying to do is empower the executive more than the other arms of government. The independence of the Judiciary is at stake, and the checks and balances in our system ought to be looked at. What is at stake now is not necessarily the woman but the independence of the judiciary being thrown out”.
The former MP’s comments follow a demonstration held on Monday, May 5, where the NPP and a coalition of political parties marched through Accra in protest against the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
Protesters accused the Mahama-led administration of undermining judicial autonomy and threatening the rule of law.
The group urged President Mahama to rescind the suspension and safeguard the integrity of Ghana’s democratic institutions.
