A large crowd of supporters of the Coalition of Political Parties, yesterday hit the streets of Accra, to protest against the suspension of the Chief Justice (CJ), Justice Gertrude Araba Sackey Torkor­noo, and the dismissal of some public service appointees.The demonstration, among oth­er issues, demanded the President, John Dramani Mahama, to reverse his decision to suspend the Chief Justice, and to reinstate the sacked public service appointees.The demonstration, dubbed "Save the judiciary", which began from the Supreme Court, through to the Parliament House and end­ed at the Jubilee House, attracted followers of the coalition, made up of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) and People's National Party (PNP), among others.They were led by their leaders, including Mr Alexander Afenyo Markin, and Justin Frimpong Ko­dua of the NPP, Mr Kofi AKpalu of LPG, and Ms Janet Nabila of the NDP.Clad in red and black, the demonstors carried placards with messages some of which read "No political witch hunt," "Ghana first, no party first," "Justice must be free and fair," "We need an independent judiciary," "Say no to abuse of power".Leaders of the demonstrators presented a petition to the Ghana Judicial Service, at the Supreme Court, which was received by the acting Judicial Service Secretary, Dr Cyracus Badinye Bapuuroh.The leaders also presented a pe­tition to the Clerk of Parliament, Mr Emmanuel Ahumah Djiet­ror, at Parliament House, and to government, at the Jubilee House, which was received by a Deputy Chief of Staff at the presidency in charge of Operations, Stan Dogbe.Speaking after the presenta­tion of the petition on behalf of the group, the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, said as political actors there must be a way to bring to an end political retaliatory scheme."As political actors we have a story to tell and we must find a way to end the vicious cycle of you do me a do you'' he empha­sized.Mr Afenyo-Markin said the peaceful demonstration was a respectful and decent way of ex­pressing the views of supporters of the coalitions, which by large sought to safeguard the country's democracy.The Minority Leader said by the protest and presentation of the petition, he was hopeful President Mahama would listen to the plea of the coalition, for the Chief Jus­tice to return to her post, and the laid off workers to be recalled.Mr Dogbe, receiving the peti­tion on behalf of government, said that President Mahama does not believe in retaliatory politics, but abides by the rule of law."You know, too much of a father-for-all kind of president.

Everybody knows thatwhatever actions that are being taken now, whatever decisions that are being taken down as every­body knows is in line with the provisions of the 1992 constitu­tion," Mr Dogbe said.He indicated that the ongoing process in respect with the Chief Justice, was a constitutional issue.Mr Dogbe said he believed that if the committee that has been set up to look into the Chief Jus­tice's matter completes its work, whatever decisions that members take, just as the Council of State advised to President, would be binding of him (president).Mr Dogbe, assured the dem­onstrators that their concerns would be forwarded to the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, and later to President Mahama for his attention.The President last month, upon the advice of the Council of State, following the presentation of a petition to remove the Chief Justice, suspended her (CJ). BY VICTOR A.

BUXTON