By: Hamza Lansah Lolly/Baba Mohammed Issahak
The Minority caucus in Ghana’s Parliament has issued a strong condemnation of President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to suspend Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, describing the move as a “brazen judicial coup” and an unconstitutional abuse of executive power.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Minority characterized the suspension carried out under the purported authority of Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana as a direct assault on the independence of the judiciary.
The minority caucus argues that the action undermines due process, especially as legal challenges regarding the constitutionality of the suspension are currently pending before the Supreme Court.
“This is a judicial overreach of the highest order,” the statement read. “It sets a dangerous precedent and reminds Ghanaians of the dark days when President Kwame Nkrumah removed Chief Justice Sir Arku Korsah for rulings that did not align with his political agenda.”
The Minority alleged that the suspension was politically motivated and aimed at reconfiguring the judiciary to favour the ruling party. They point to President Mahama’s public remarks in Akosombo in 2023, where he suggested a desire to appoint judges sympathetic to the National Democratic Congress (NDC), as evidence of this intent.
“President Mahama’s actions confirm that this is not about accountability, but about raw political control,” the statement said. “This is neither good governance nor a credible attempt to ‘reset’ the judiciary it is tyranny.”
Calling for the immediate reversal of the suspension, the Minority reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting the independence of Ghana’s judiciary.
