Ghana’s President John Mahama has dismissed the country’s Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, following the recommendations of a high-level inquiry. The move marks the first time in Ghana’s history that a sitting chief justice has been investigated and removed from office.
Justice Torkornoo, who was appointed in 2023 by former President Nana Akufo-Addo and became the nation’s third female chief justice, was suspended in April after three separate petitions alleged misconduct. A five-member committee was established by President Mahama to investigate the complaints.
According to a statement from the presidency, the commission reviewed over 10,000 pages of evidence and heard testimonies from 13 witnesses presented by lead petitioner Daniel Ofori. Chief Justice Torkornoo also testified in her defense, calling 12 witnesses, including legal experts. The committee ultimately concluded that “grounds of stated misbehaviour had been established” and formally recommended her removal.
Justice Torkornoo has strongly denied all allegations, describing them as politically motivated and lacking merit. The presidency, however, emphasized that President Mahama was constitutionally bound to act on the findings of the inquiry. The other two petitions against her are still pending review.
The dismissal has triggered widespread debate in Ghana. The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has condemned the move, labeling it a political witch hunt aimed at weakening judicial independence. They had earlier criticized her suspension in April, saying it undermined the credibility of the judiciary. Several legal challenges to the removal process were unsuccessful in court.
Alfred Tuah-Yeboah, a former deputy attorney general, also warned that the decision sets a “dangerous precedent.” He argued that the petitions lacked solid grounds and expressed concern that Ghana’s judiciary could face further political interference.
Justice Torkornoo had previously survived a removal attempt under former President Akufo-Addo, who dismissed a similar petition due to “several deficiencies.” Her critics, particularly from the now-ruling party, had accused her of bias in rulings delivered while they were in opposition.
With her dismissal, Ghana enters uncharted territory regarding judicial independence and constitutional governance. Chief justices in the country enjoy security of tenure and can only be removed for incompetence or misbehaviour, raising concerns among legal analysts about the integrity of the removal process and the future of Ghana’s judiciary.
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