Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has alleged that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is planning on causing a change in the constitution to ensure President John Dramani Mahama secures a third term bid in office.
According to him, the NDC’s plan includes the naming of new Supreme Court justices.
His allegations come on the back of President Mahama’s nomination of seven Court of Appeal judges to the Supreme Court, which he described as a covert move to advance a third-term agenda.
According to him, the nomination of the judges is not a routine judicial appointment.
Speaking at a press conference held by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Thursday, May 1, Afenyo-Markin cautioned that the nominations present a significant threat to the separation of powers and the judiciary’s independence.
“This is not a routine judicial appointment. What we are witnessing is a strategic and deliberate effort to pack the Supreme Court with loyalists.”
“The nomination of seven Appeals Court judges immediately after suspending the Chief Justice reveals a deeper, more dangerous political ambition a third-term agenda in disguise,” he said.
Afenyo-Markin described the nominations as a move by President Mahama to weaken democratic governance, adding that it violates all constitutional principles.
He further stated that such actions drastically undermines public confidence in the judiciary with it further posing the risk of destabilize Ghana’s democratic institutions.
He charged civil society, religious leaders, and the general public to unite against any attempt by the President and the NDC to attack the judiciary and its independence.
“This is not how a responsible government strengthens the rule of law. This is how a government tightens its grip on power through the backdoor.”
“We must not be silent. This is a national issue that transcends partisan lines. The integrity of our justice system is at stake, and we must resist any attempt to convert it into a political tool,” he added.
President John Dramani Mahama has nominated seven new judges to the Supreme Court.
The nominations announced by the Office of the President was made in accordance with Article 144 (2) of the 1992 Constitution, are subject to approval by Parliament.
The nominees are:
1. Justice Sir Dennis Dominic Adjei
2. Justice Gbiel Simon Suurbaareh
3Justice Senyo Dzamefe
4Justice Kweku Tawiah Ackaah-Boafo
5. Justice Philip Bright Mensah
6. Justice Janapare Bartels-Kodwo
7. Justice Hafisata Amaleboba
Watch video:
President Mahama’s nomination of 7 Court of Appeal judges to the Supreme Court is a ploy to achieve his third-term agenda – Afenyo-Markin pic.twitter.com/bfdx0ULf6W
— JoyNews (@JoyNewsOnTV) May 1, 2025
