The Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana (AMJG) has criticised a protest held on Tuesday (8 October) at the Supreme Court.

The demonstration, led by Samuel Nartey George, Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, demanded an immediate hearing of two anti-LGBTQI+ bill cases currently before the court.

Addressing the media on Thursday (10 October), AMJG president, Justice Henry Kwofie, who also serves as a Justice of the Supreme Court, condemned the actions of the demonstrators.

He emphasised that the judiciary follows strict procedures, and cases are only heard once all required processes are completed.

Justice Kwofie expressed concern over the behaviour of the protesters, particularly the involvement of a sitting MP, and described their actions and insults as inappropriate.

He stressed that every court in Ghana, from district courts to the Supreme Court, adheres to a legal process that must be respected.

“How could anybody who knows and who should know better and who knows that his case is not even ripe for clearing, get up, shout from the rooftop and ask for judgement to be given in that case?” Kwofie questioned.

“Every court from the district court through to the Supreme Court has a procedure that has to be followed by every litigant before the case will be ripe for hearing and no judge, not even her ladyship, the chief justice, can torpedo that procedure and the rules of court.”

The AMJG president urged Ghanaians to condemn actions that undermine the judiciary, cautioning that such behaviour threatens the administration of justice and the country’s peace.

He called on all litigants, parties, and lawyers to exercise restraint and respect court processes, warning against actions that could destabilise the judicial system.

“We call on all persons, be they litigants, parties and lawyers who have cases in court, to exercise due restraint, show decorum and not to do anything that undermines the administration of justice and [has] the tendency to disrupt the peace of the country and to cause mayhem to the judicious institution as a whole.”