Protesters clad in robes resembling those worn by Supreme Court justices took over parts of Accra on Monday, May 5, 2025, as a coalition of political parties demonstrated against the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
The protest, led by the largest opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) and dubbed #SaveTheJudiciary, began from the Supreme Court and proceeded through major streets of the capital.
But one striking element of the protest march was the distinctive attire worn by some residents from Tema West. According to them, their decision to wear judicial robes was a symbolic protest against what they described as a politically motivated and unconstitutional move by President John Dramani Mahama.
Instead of the usual red and black t-shirts, they donned replicas of judicial robes in red, complete with wigs.
After presenting petitions to both Parliament and the leadership of the Judiciary, the demonstrators, led by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, marched to the Jubilee House to deliver their final petition.
Deputy Chief of Staff, Stanislav Xoese Dogbe, received the petition on behalf of the President. He assured the group that the ongoing process is fully constitutional and stressed that the Mahama administration has no interest in political revenge.
“We are happy that your process started this morning and ended very peacefully. That in itself is a very strong message about the democracy President Mahama wants to instil,” Mr. Dogbe said.
“President Mahama is not one of those politicians; he doesn’t believe in retaliatory politics. Whatever decisions are being taken now are in line with our 1992 Constitution.”
Despite the assurance, the robe-wearing demonstrators say their symbolic protest will continue until the Chief Justice is reinstated or a transparent process is guaranteed.
By: Ekow Annan/newsalertgh.com
