ACCRA, Ghana – In an unprecedented move that has sent shockwaves through the nation’s legal and political circles, President John Mahama has suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, marking a historic first in Ghana’s judicial history.
The suspension follows the filing of three undisclosed petitions alleging misconduct and calling for her permanent removal. While the specific content of these petitions remains confidential, the development has ignited a fierce debate about judicial independence and the rule of law.
Chief Justices in Ghana are granted security of tenure, meaning they can only be removed from office on grounds of stated misbehavior or incompetence. The gravity of the situation is underscored by the strong reactions from legal experts.
Former Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame, speaking to the BBC, condemned the suspension as a “complete charade” and “the biggest assault on the independence of the judiciary under the constitutional dispensation of this country.” His comments highlight the serious concerns surrounding the implications of this decision.
Justice Torkornoo, the third female Chief Justice of Ghana, appointed in 2023 by former President Nana Akufo-Addo, oversees the administration of justice in the country. This suspension comes after she survived a previous removal attempt earlier this year, when former President Akufo-Addo deemed a petition against her to have “several deficiencies.”
Initially, copies of the newly filed petitions were withheld from Justice Torkornoo, sparking legal outcry and accusations of violating her right to a fair hearing. Following this controversy, the petitions were provided to her, allowing her to respond in writing.
A five-member committee will now review the petitions and Justice Torkornoo’s responses. She will be invited to address the committee directly before a final decision is made regarding her potential removal from office.
The suspension has plunged the Ghanaian judiciary into a period of uncertainty, with observers closely monitoring the unfolding events and their potential impact on the nation’s legal framework. This unprecedented situation has raised critical questions about the balance of power and the sanctity of judicial independence in Ghana.
