A former lawmaker for Anyaa Sowutuom, Dr. Dickson Adomako Kissi, has explained that the protest led by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and its allies was not aimed at Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo personally, but rather intended to defend the independence of Ghana’s judicial system.

In an appearance on Channel One TV on Tuesday, May 6, he expressed concern that the suspension of the Chief Justice by President Mahama, if allowed to stand, could weaken the country’s constitutional checks and balances by setting a precedent for executive overreach.

“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,” Dr. Adomako Kissi cautioned.

He emphasized that the issue at hand was much larger than one individual, warning that allowing the executive to exert undue influence over other branches of government would be a threat to Ghana’s democracy.

“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 protest took place on Monday, May 5, and drew large crowds through the streets of Accra, as demonstrators voiced strong opposition to what they described as political interference in the Judiciary.

The organisers argue that the suspension of the Chief Justice undermines the rule of law and weakens democratic institutions.

Following the march, representatives from the coalition submitted petitions to key state institutions, including the Presidency, Parliament, and the Judiciary.

At the Jubilee House, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin handed the petition to Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations, Stan Dogbe, with the coalition urging President Mahama to reverse the decision and uphold judicial autonomy.