Chief Justice (CJ), Gertrude Torkornoo
President John Dramani Mahama has taken a significant step in addressing three petitions submitted by various individuals seeking the removal of the Chief Justice (CJ), Gertrude Torkornoo.
In accordance with Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, the President has forwarded the petitions to the Council of State to begin the mandated consultation process.
A statement issued by Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, emphasised the President’s commitment to following constitutional procedures in handling the matter.
2024 Petition
Last year, President Akufo-Addo received a petition seeking the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo from office over allegations of misconduct and incompetence.
The petition dated December 17, 2024, filed by a Ghanaian legal scholar, Prof. Stephen Kwaku Asare, accused Justice Torkornoo of constitutional and administrative breaches.
The petitioner argued that these alleged actions undermine the credibility and integrity of the judiciary.
In the petition, the complainant insisted that the Chief Justice’s removal is necessary to preserve public confidence in Ghana’s judicial system.
The petition specifically targeted the Chief Justice’s administrative functions as head of the judiciary under Article 125 (4), excluding her judicial decisions or directives as a Supreme Court judge.
The petitioner further raised concerns over reported instances of the Chief Justice’s interference in the composition of duly constituted judicial panels without transparency or public interest justification.
He argued that such actions compromise judicial impartiality and independence.
“The reconstitution of panels to suit certain interests exceeds the Chief Justice’s administrative authority and directly interferes with the neutrality of the judiciary,” Prof. Asare asserted.
By Prince Fiifi Yorke