Frank Davies, the Chairman of the Constitutional and Legal Committee of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has come out in full support of Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin's recent call to protect the office of Ghana's Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo. Afenyo-Markin had earlier urged members of the judiciary and the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) to remain united and resist any perceived attempts to unlawfully remove the Chief Justice. According to him, these attempts were politically motivated and aimed at undermining the independence of the judiciary. Davies, speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile program on April 19, 2025, described Afenyo-Markin’s call as a timely and patriotic appeal rather than a partisan move. He emphasized that safeguarding the Chief Justice's office is essential for preserving the sanctity of Ghana's legal system. He explained that the Minority Leader's message was directed at ensuring that judicial leadership is not influenced by political interference, particularly from opposition elements seeking to gain undue advantage through destabilization.
Frank Davies further stated that although individuals may have personal reservations about Afenyo-Markin due to political differences or past incidents, his statement in this particular instance was made with Ghana’s national interest at heart. He argued that the Chief Justice occupies a crucial role within the nation’s governance and, therefore, deserves full protection from politically driven agendas. Davies believed that Afenyo-Markin chose an appropriate platform—an official NPP event—to express his concerns and called on all Ghanaians to view the comments through a national lens, rather than through the prism of party politics. He dismissed accusations from former Tamale Central MP, Inusah Fuseini, who had accused the NPP of politicizing the issue. According to Davies, such criticism was misleading and failed to capture the broader context of the situation. He maintained that the real politicization of the matter began with certain opposition figures within the National Democratic Congress (NDC), who allegedly fueled rumors of a plan to remove the Chief Justice before any formal process had even started.
Davies concluded by calling on all stakeholders—politicians, legal professionals, civil society, and the general public—to prioritize the independence and integrity of the judiciary over party interests. He warned that if the judiciary becomes a battleground for political tussles, the nation’s democratic foundation could be compromised. With rising concerns over trust and perceived corruption in public institutions, Davies stressed the need for all Ghanaians to support the judiciary in maintaining its impartiality. He urged political parties, especially the opposition, to desist from actions or commentary that could create unnecessary tension or discredit the office of the Chief Justice. In his view, now more than ever, Ghana needs a stable and independent judiciary to uphold the rule of law and ensure justice for all. He reiterated that the Chief Justice’s role is not just administrative but symbolic of Ghana’s commitment to legal fairness, and as such, must be defended from undue influence and smear campaigns.
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