President Mahama is going off, Call him to order – Ghanaian chiefs told

The People’s National Party (PNP) is calling on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to step in and help stop what it describes as a politically motivated attempt by President John Dramani Mahama to remove the suspended Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Torkornoo.

PNP flagbearer for the 2024 elections, Janet Nabila, led the charge on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, when she and some party members submitted a formal petition at the Manhyia Palace. Addressing the media afterward, Nabila expressed strong disapproval over the Chief Justice’s suspension and accused the Mahama administration of trying to control all three arms of government.

According to her, the current government is deliberately targeting the judiciary in what she described as a “political witch hunt.” She said the situation is a clear sign that Ghana’s democracy is not functioning as it should, and therefore the country must look to traditional leaders to restore balance.

“If our democracy is not working, we will go back to our roots and ask the chiefs, who are the true custodians of the land, to tell the Mahama government—who is just renting part of the land to operate—to call him to order,” Nabila stated.

She also raised concerns over what she sees as growing hostility toward women in public office, describing the ongoing issues facing Chief Justice Torkornoo as part of a pattern of gender-based victimisation.

“We came to Manhyia to petition the Asantehene because we believe our traditional authorities must intervene when state institutions fail. As women, we are deeply disturbed that a female Chief Justice is being targeted in this way. I wept listening to her speak about her suffering,” Nabila lamented.

Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Torkornoo was suspended after three separate petitions were sent to President Mahama, all seeking her removal from office. The President has since set up a committee to investigate the claims against her. However, the Chief Justice has strongly denied all allegations.

The PNP’s petition to Otumfuo forms part of wider reactions from political and civil society groups, as the country watches closely how the case unfolds.