Clarifying on its earlier released disclaimer, the Ghana Union Movement (GUM) has firmly distanced itself from a planned protest by several political parties against the recent suspension of Ghana’s Chief Justice.
The party’s General Secretary, Anthony Gold Ahinful, has emphasized that GUM was neither informed nor officially engaged in any discussions regarding the demonstration scheduled for Monday, May 5, 2025.
“We’ve not met anywhere officially to decide whether we will support such a move or not”
Anthony Gold Ahinful, General Secretary of GUM
In a recent clarification, Mr. Ahinful categorically rejected claims that the party had consented to participate in the protest, urging GUM members and the general public to disregard such reports.
Mr. Ahinful stated that GUM had not attended any formal meetings to discuss involvement in the protest. He revealed that while the party’s Communication Director had been approached informally, no official decision was made.
“My communication director was called into a personal meeting and he was presented with that agenda to think about it. I was outside Accra by then. He called me, and I told him that we need time to sit down and think about it”
Anthony Gold Ahinful, General Secretary of GUM
According to him, the meeting his Communication Director attended was personal, and no binding commitment was made on behalf of the party.
Mr. Ahinful stressed that any decision to participate in such a protest should come after extensive consultations within the party’s leadership, something that had not occurred before the coalition of political parties announced the planned demonstration, lumping in the GUM.
Constitutional Processes
The GUM has reiterated its unwavering belief in the country’s constitutional procedures regarding the removal of a Chief Justice.
Mr. Ahinful referenced Articles 144 and 146 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, outlining the legal steps necessary for both appointment and removal of a Chief Justice.
“Clause 1 of article 144 provides how the chief justice is selected, nominated by the president in consultation with the council of states and approved by parliament. Clause 6 of article 146 states how the chief justice can be removed”
Anthony Gold Ahinful, General Secretary of GUM
He emphasized that GUM supports the due constitutional processes currently underway, adding that the party would only consider protests if those processes were clearly undermined.
“We believe in pure democracy and rule of law. So if it concerns the chief justice, I think the constitution has made provision for the processes to be used.
“If the processes are exhausted and we find out that our honorable chief justice has done nothing wrong and yet the president still wants to use his power to sack her, then we can join such a demonstration or something”
Anthony Gold Ahinful, General Secretary of GUM
Mr. Ahinful established that unless evidence surfaced that the ongoing procedures were unconstitutional, GUM will remain committed to supporting the prescribed legal channels for resolving the matter.
Directive to Members
In response to concerns about confusion among party members and supporters, Mr. Ahinful issued a strong directive. He instructed all GUM members to refrain from participating in the planned demonstration, emphasizing that the party has not authorized any such involvement.
“They are not joining. I issued that disclaimer. I signed it myself, and I stated it categorically in the disclaimer that we are not joining that protest”
Anthony Gold Ahinful, General Secretary of GUM
He made it clear that if future developments warrant the party’s participation in any action, an official communication would be issued. However, as of now, the position of GUM remains unchanged.
The controversy surrounding the suspension of the Chief Justice comes at a politically sensitive time.
The government has reaffirmed its commitment to the rule of law and democratic governance, amid calls from various quarters for adherence to constitutional procedures.
As political tensions rise, parties like the GUM are making deliberate efforts to distinguish their positions clearly, seeking to uphold democratic processes and avoid hasty alignments that could undermine constitutional order.
GUM’s firm stance signals a cautious approach in a politically charged environment, prioritizing the integrity of Ghana’s democratic institutions over reactionary movements.
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