Political Parties to Stage Nationwide Protest Over Suspension of Chief Justice, Termination of Appointments

A coalition of political parties in Ghana has announced plans to stage a nationwide protest on Monday, May 5, 2025, in response to what they describe as the “unlawful suspension” of the Chief Justice and a wave of politically motivated terminations of public appointments.

The decision was taken at an emergency meeting held on Thursday, April 24, by a group of opposition political parties including the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), National Democratic Party (NDP), People’s National Party (PNP), Ghana Union Movement (GUM), and several others.

In a joint statement, the parties condemned what they called a “blatant disregard for the rule of law” and described the Chief Justice’s suspension as a direct assault on Ghana’s constitutional democracy and judicial independence.

“The attempt to remove the Chief Justice is not just an attack on one individual,” the parties said. “It is a dangerous affront to the Constitution and a calculated effort to compromise the independence of the judiciary.”

The coalition accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of orchestrating a broader scheme to dominate all arms of government, citing historical precedents and intelligence from political circles that allegedly point to a plan to also remove the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission and her deputies.

According to the statement, the planned protest aims to send a clear message to the ruling government and the public: “Ghanaians will not sit idly by while the foundations of our democracy are eroded.”

The group also raised alarms about alleged efforts by the NDC to reconstitute the Supreme Court with partisan loyalists to facilitate a constitutional interpretation that could enable former President John Dramani Mahama to run for a third term in 2028.

On the issue of terminations, the parties expressed outrage at what they say are unjust dismissals of public servants, branding them as acts of political vengeance that threaten livelihoods and democratic stability.

“This is not about politics; it is about principle,” the statement emphasized. “It is about justice, the Constitution, and the future of Ghana.”

The coalition is calling on all civil society organizations, religious groups, and Ghanaians from all walks of life to join the protest. They are urging citizens to “stand for democracy, oppose dictatorship, and be citizens, not spectators.”

As political tensions rise, the coming weeks are expected to see increased public discourse on the independence of the judiciary, political accountability, and the protection of democratic institutions in Ghana.