Judiciary is romancing the executive – Miracles Aboagye defends NPP protest

Dennis Miracles Aboagye, a prospective National Communications Officer for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has defended the party's scheduled protest for August 6. He expressed concerns over the judiciary's increasing closeness with the executive, warning that public trust in the justice system is deteriorating. During an interview on JoyNews' PM Express, Mr Aboagye emphasized that the demonstration stemmed from apprehensions regarding the judiciary's relationship with the government and the perceived discrimination in the application of justice.

He asserted that these issues extend beyond specific instances to a broader perception of the judiciary's loss of independence.

Aboagye revealed that he had written to the Chief Justice about these concerns a month prior, detailing his worries about the judiciary's relationship with the executive, which he felt was becoming increasingly apparent. Despite not receiving a direct response from the Chief Justice, the Judicial Secretary later issued a statement that addressed some of his concerns.

However, Mr Aboagye maintained that his anxieties had not been sufficiently addressed, stating, "I am of the view that we need to keep our judiciary very far away from our politics, far, far, far away from our politics."

The NPP protest is aimed at highlighting the necessity of preserving judicial independence. Aboagye expressed discomfort with the judiciary's close proximity to government officials, describing it as becoming too blatant and making those who are not favored by these individuals feel uneasy. He pointed to the handling of criminal cases during the legal vacation as evidence of selective justice, noting that while many cases were being tried, some individuals were being singled out and required to go through the criminal procedure, despite not having predated 2020.

The NPP's planned demonstration comes amid heightened political tensions over high-profile criminal prosecutions and a growing public debate on the independence of Ghana's judiciary. Party leaders assert that the protest seeks to demand fairness, equal treatment under the law, and increased public confidence in the justice system.