“Our demonstration is going to shake Ghana. If not, we won’t back down until Ghanaians realize that they made a mistake with their votes in the 2024 election” – Richard Ahiagba, Communication Director of NPP
As students (of Vandal City, UG-1974-77/1979-81), we relished going on Aluta – a demonstration to draw the attention of authorities (governments or educational) to what appeared to us as lapses or challenging military rule. To the extent that the “first” name we gave our son was “Aluta”. We were young, energetic and athletic – and walking from Legon to Accra Central (Makola) and back was “no big deal”.
We could be roughly treated and manhandled by the soldiers and police. Now, after 1992, the Constitution of the Republic, grundnorm has given everybody so many “rights” and Article 21 says: “All persons shall have the right to (a) freedom of speech and expression … (b) freedom of thought, conscience and beliefs … (c) freedom to practice any religion … (d) freedom of assembly including freedom, to take part in processions and demonstrations (e) freedom of association … (f) information … (g) freedom of movement … to move freely in Ghana, the rights to leave and to enter Ghana and immunity from expulsion from Ghana.”
The grounds for the demonstration by the “Allied” parties had been preceded by the resolution by various groups, particularized by the resolution of the Ghana Bar Association. Fifty (50) members of the legal fraternity with a membership of over five thousand (5,000) had passed a resolution denouncing the suspension of the Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkonoo, pending investigation by a committee appointed by the President in consultation with the Council of State (Article 146 (6)).
The Monday (05/05/25) demo dubbed “Save the Judiciary Demo” was held under the auspices of the NPP, the LPG (Kofi Akpaloo’s party) … NDP, and PNC.
The people dressed in red and black, with some carrying placards marched swiftly from the Supreme Court to Parliament, then the Jubilee House.
Some of the placards read: “Protect our democracy now”; “Justice cannot be suspended.” “Our courts are not puppets”.
Among the protesters were Justin Kodua Frimpong, NPP General Secretary, Henry Nana Boachie (NPP National Organizer), Richard Ahiagba, NPP Communication Officer, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, MP for Bosomtwe and Patrick Yaw Boamah (MP for Okaikoi Central). Kofi Akpaloo of the LPG was also there
“By their deeds, ye shall know them” is a well-known fiat, and the demonstrators displayed their deeds fullest. Afenyo-Markin, the “Micro-Minority Leader” or “Mighty-Minority Leader” (whichever way one chooses to call him) was there. Hear him: “Ghana is under siege, and there is a call on us to rise, resist and defend the 1992 Constitution which is under assault … The Chief Justice is under siege. The head of the judiciary is being dragged through a sham process of removal from office, engineered by a desperate president.
“This is not politics as usual. This is a dangerous, coordinated attack on Ghana’s constitutional democracy and that is why we march today — to resist the rise of a new oppressor: one who wears a cloak of democracy but governs with the spirit of dictatorship. We march because our Constitution demands it”.
Come, hear Afenyo Markin trying to woo the Armed Forces to his side: “The government has captured the Ghana Armed Forces stripping them of their professionalism and hard-won neutrality. Our military, once revered for its apolitical stance, is now being painted in NDC colours. This is a dangerous betrayal of the Republic.” Like Squealer in “The Animal Farm”, Afenyo Markin roped in public servants. “This is a direct assault on the principle of neutrality in public service. It is a betrayal of the values enshrined in our Constitution.”
So, we look through the “Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, 1992” to glean for a scintilla of the deviations levelled against the President. We do not seem to find a single one! We call “NB” and ask: “Did you attend the demo?” NB: “If I go, get injured and die, who will take care of my children? Those people who have got filthily wealthy under Akufo-Addo, hiding their wealth under their beds can afford to do whatever they like …”. Then, we call on “Alhaji” and ask him the same question. Alhaji: “I am fed up with NPP politics – the kind of politics our people are doing …”
Then, you “assess” other speeches; Dr Stephan Amoah (Sticker): “Mahama’s time … dumsor; one tomato, GH¢5.00”. Were these issues relevant to the demonstration? What is happening? Who says the President’s action (removing the C.J.) is a dress-rehearsal for his seeking a third term? What does Article 66 say? (1) A person elected as President shall, subject to clause (3) of this article, shall hold office for a term of four years beginning from the date on which he is sworn in as President. (2) A person shall not be elected to hold office as President for more than two terms:
Has the President violated the Constitution? Has he brought someone outside the Supreme Court to be the Acting C.J.? So, it is the wish of the demonstrators to support one “preferred” judge to another in the same group. What balderdash? What insouciance? You cannot believe some of the arguments being thrown out there! And the demonstrators think they can sway all Ghanaians to their side? If wishes were horses, beggars would ride? What is special about Gertrude Torkonoo? She herself has said; “The law is the law”. Was Mahama being what Akufo-Addo says, a mere “conveyor belt” when it comes to such matters as a petition.” (Article 146 (1)) “A Justice of the Superior Court or a Chairman of the Regional Tribunal shall not be removed from office except for stated misbehaviour or incompetence or on ground of inability to perform the functions of his office arising from infirmity or body or mind.”
Stan Dogbe who received the petition from the demonstrators used the occasion to remind NPP of what went wrong under NPP. Would we say the NPP should rid itself of its holier-than-thou attitude?
And did Afenyo-Markin assault a police officer or a police officer assaulted Afenyo-Markin. Is it not worthy of investigation?
Are we doing politics over the economy? Aren’t we satisfied with the falling rate of the dollar to the cedi ($1.00 to GH¢13.00) – In NPP’s time the exchange rate rose to $1.00 to GH¢18! And Afenyo-Markin would say the exchange rate is dropping now, because the government is not paying contractors, blah-blah-blah. Haba. Have we forgotten Bawumiah’s statement: “When the fundamentals are weak, the exchange rate will expose you.”
What do we want? Good governance that leads to individual satisfaction or “follow – follow politics” that will twist history and condemn every “good” thing that NDC does because we are in NPP!
We will not use inappropriate works like “rubber-stamp” to describe the Council of State, because we understand the word “respect”.
We are happy that this NDC government allowed the NPP and allies the opportunity to have a peaceful demonstration. Ghanaians did NOT make a mistake in voting for NDC. They had their wits on (or in) their heads!
What better advice to give than: For NPP to continue to be relevant, the leaders should speak the truth to their members, and eschew their arrogant and know-it-all attitude.
