Chairman of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Legal and Constitutional Committee, Frank Davies, says Ghanaians must not dictate to the party and its allies how to respond to the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
Speaking on Citi Eyewitness News on May 1, Davies dismissed suggestions that the party should resort solely to the courts instead of street protests. He argued that pursuing legal action is not the only legitimate course of action in a constitutional democracy.
“When there is the need for a court process to be considered it would be done. So let us wait. Nobody should lampoon or nobody should rush anybody into doing anything. Let us see what happens,” Davies stated.
He stressed that the NPP and other opposition parties are not alone in raising red flags about recent developments in the judiciary, particularly the Chief Justice’s suspension. He pointed to Organised Labour’s public stance on the matter as evidence of broader discontent.
“I’m saying it is not only the NPP and the other political parties who have had a bite at this matter. I said Organised Labour today made their voice heard today. For all you know Organised Labour may be in court tomorrow. Do you know that? No! Do I know that? No!” he added.
The NPP and other opposition groups have announced plans to stage a demonstration to protest what they describe as political interference in the judiciary on May 5.
The party has vowed to resist what it sees as unconstitutional actions and the erosion of judicial independence.
