The Minority in Parliament has issued a sharp rebuke of President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to suspend Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, describing it as a dangerous assault on the independence of Ghana’s Judiciary.

The suspension, announced by the Presidency on Tuesday, April 22, follows the establishment of a committee to investigate petitions brought against the Chief Justice.

However, the Minority Caucus has labelled the move as a “judicial coup” and is demanding the immediate reinstatement of Justice Torkornoo.

In a strongly worded statement, the Minority accused the Executive of interfering with the judiciary, warning that the decision sets a dangerous precedent reminiscent of Ghana’s past.

“This is judicial overreach of the highest order — a textbook case of executive interference,” the statement read.

The Caucus went on to compare the development to the 1963 dismissal of Chief Justice Sir Arku Korsah by President Kwame Nkrumah, which occurred after a court ruling that displeased the government.

According to the Minority, the suspension is a politically motivated “witch-hunt” designed to clear the path for the appointment of judges sympathetic to the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), thereby eroding the principle of judicial neutrality.

“This is neither about reform nor accountability,” the statement continued.

“It is tyranny masquerading as governance.

The people of Ghana will not stand idly by while the sanctity of the Judiciary is sacrificed for partisan gain.”

The Minority Caucus also issued a warning against any further attempts to intimidate or remove the Chief Justice, vowing “fierce legal and public resistance” to what they consider unlawful and unconstitutional actions.

They called for an immediate halt to all proceedings related to Justice Torkornoo’s removal until the Judiciary itself has ruled on the legality and constitutionality of the process.

“The integrity of Ghana’s Judiciary is non-negotiable,” the Minority concluded, pledging to defend the courts against politicisation and executive overreach.