Politicising judiciary will harm innocent citizens the more

Founder of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), Kofi Akpaloo, has raised strong concerns about what he describes as dangerous attempts to politicise Ghana’s judiciary, warning that failure to act now could have dire consequences for the future.

Speaking on ABC Midday News, Mr. Akpaloo said his party is joining a planned nationwide protest on Monday, May 5, 2025, to oppose the alleged unlawful suspension of the Chief Justice.

He stressed that politicising the judiciary today would open the floodgates for future governments to do the same, saying, “Innocent people will be the ones to suffer the most in future if we allow this trend to continue.”

Akpaloo argued that although the constitutional process for suspension may have been followed, the President’s intention behind it raises red flags

“The woman has done nothing wrong,” he asserted, referencing the Chief Justice, and described the suspension as “premeditated” by a government that had previously signaled plans to remove her.

He warned that such actions will set a precedent where future Chief Justices can be removed on political grounds, undermining the integrity of Ghana’s democratic institutions. According to him, this is a moment that requires collective national vigilance, not partisan silence.

His comments come as five political parties — the NPP, LPG, NDP, PNP, and GUM — prepare to stage a joint demonstration aimed at defending Ghana’s judicial independence. In a joint statement, the parties described the suspension of the Chief Justice as part of a broader “disturbing trend” of interference in the judiciary.

Meanwhile, legal expert and former director of the Ghana School of Law, Kwaku Ansa-Asare, defended President Mahama’s nomination of seven new Supreme Court Justices, arguing that it seeks to correct past injustices, especially promotions based on political loyalty rather than merit under the Akufo-Addo administration.