The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has called on the Chief Justice of Ghana to resign, accusing him of engaging in partisan political commentary and conduct that, in the party’s view, undermines the independence and neutrality of the Judiciary.
In a statement dated September 3, 2026, and signed by its General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, the NPP said it was reacting to a video circulating publicly in which the Chief Justice allegedly compared the performance of the current National Democratic Congress (NDC) government and its appointed chief executive officers with that of the previous NPP administration.
The NPP described the reported comments as inappropriate for the head of Ghana’s Judiciary and accused the Chief Justice of descending into partisan politics.
“This is not the language of a Chief Justice,” the party said, arguing that the comments were more characteristic of political party communication than the conduct expected of the head of an independent arm of government.
The party also cited Articles 125 and 127 of the 1992 Constitution, which provide for the independence of the Judiciary and establish the judicial oath requiring judges to administer justice without fear or favour, affection or ill will.
According to the NPP, the reported comments were not an isolated incident but part of what it described as a broader pattern of conduct that raises questions about the Chief Justice’s political neutrality.
The party alleged that the Chief Justice had frequently attended functions involving political appointees of the current government, arguing that such appearances could create doubts about his impartiality in cases involving the Executive.
The NPP further took issue with what it described as the Chief Justice’s pledge to do everything possible to ensure the success of the President’s agenda.
The party linked that pledge to the government’s Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) initiative, noting that individuals associated with the NPP were facing prosecution before courts under the Chief Justice’s administrative leadership.
It argued that such circumstances could undermine public confidence in the Judiciary and create the perception that the courts were being aligned with the interests of the Executive.
The opposition party also raised concerns about the pace at which it said vacation warrants had been issued in cases involving members of the NPP, citing the incarceration of its Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
The NPP alleged that the justice system was operating at different speeds depending on whether cases involved government opponents or supporters.
The party, however, did not provide detailed evidence in the statement to substantiate its broader allegation that the Judiciary was coordinating with the Presidency.
Beyond allegations of political interference, the NPP criticised the Chief Justice over the state of court infrastructure and justice delivery.
It claimed that some courtrooms and registries were in poor condition and that judicial staff were working under difficult circumstances that affected the delivery of justice.
The party accused the Chief Justice of focusing on activities involving government agencies rather than addressing what it described as challenges within the Judiciary.
The NPP said it would organise a major press conference in the coming days to present what it called the “full record” of the Chief Justice’s conduct.
The party insisted that the Judiciary belongs to the people of Ghana and should remain independent of both the Presidency and political parties.
It therefore demanded that the Chief Justice immediately retract what the party described as partisan comments and his reported commitment to the President’s agenda.
Failing that, the NPP called for his resignation and urged him to formally join the NDC, accusing him of championing the party’s cause while serving as head of the Judiciary.
The party also called on the President to fill a vacancy on the Council of State and publicly clarify any arrangements concerning the Chief Justice’s post-retirement future.
The NPP concluded by pledging to use “every lawful means” at its disposal to resist what it described as the conversion of the courts into instruments of political persecution.
The statement did not include a response from the Chief Justice, the Presidency or the NDC to the allegations.
