On Monday, May 5, 2025, a significant demonstration was held by supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) alongside members of various minority parties, dubbed the “Save the Judiciary Demo,” in response to the suspension of the Chief Justice by President Mahama.
The demonstration began at the Supreme Court, where leaders presented a formal petition addressed to the Judiciary.
Participants, dressed in red attire, including armbands and headgear, marched in substantial numbers through the main streets of Accra.
After their initial gathering at the Supreme Court, the demonstrators proceeded to Parliament to submit a second petition before ending with a final submission at the Jubilee House.
The petition was received by Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, the Clerk to Parliament, on behalf of Parliament, while Mr. Stan Dogbe, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, accepted the petition on behalf of the President.
Presenting a petition on behalf of the group, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin claimed that President Mahama has “weaponised the security services,” deploying them in “retrogressive PNDC-style raids” targeting the homes of political opponents.
“Private citizens, including former Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Ernest Addison, and former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, have had their properties seized, their rights violated, and their dignities stripped,” he added.
He also accused the government of hypocrisy, noting that while it had previously criticised the expansion of the Supreme Court, it had now appointed seven new judges under questionable circumstances.
“You know the process of appointing judges to the Supreme Court is not what has been used. So this reset is a negative reset,” he said, urging judicial staff not to remain complacent.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin further cautioned against political vengeance.
“I also want to take this opportunity to draw the attention of the nation to come to terms with the fact that there must be an end to bitterness. If this vicious cycle of ‘you did it to me; I will do it to you’ continues, there will be no hope for our democracy,” he said.
He warned that such partisan actions could have future consequences for current judicial staff, especially with the possibility of a new government in 2028.
“I am humbly calling on all Judicial Service staff to think deeply about tomorrow. Don’t be too comfortable because today some government officials are promising you promotions, so you don’t want to speak out. We will speak up for the sake of posterity,” he added.
The NPP was joined by several allied political parties, including the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), National Democratic Party (NDP), People’s National Party (PNP), and the Ghana Union Movement (GUM).
Below are some photos captured by Adomonline’s Joseph Tawiah Odotei
