Former Director of the Ghana School of Law, Kwaku Ansa-Asare, has defended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo amidst allegations of financial impropriety related to her foreign travels, stating that there is nothing wrong with a public officer benefiting from the conditions of her appointment.
His comments come in response to a petition submitted to the President by private citizen Daniel Ofori, who has accused the Chief Justice of misappropriating over GHS 261,000 in public funds in 2023 to finance personal trips abroad with her husband and daughter.
The petitioner also alleged that the Chief Justice took an additional GHS 75,580 for a trip to Tanzania and failed to account for a $14,000 imprest for the same journey.
Ofori is one of three individuals who have petitioned President John Dramani Mahama for the Chief Justice’s removal from office on grounds of alleged misconduct and abuse of office.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, Kwaku Ansa-Asare argued that the matter of the Chief Justice’s travel should be viewed within the framework of her employment contract.
“The issue with the Chief Justice travelling with her spouse and her daughter are matters arising from the contract of employment. So, they are issues that stem from the terms and conditions in her appointment. I am sure, as it was formulated in the terms and condition by herself.
“It was the judicial council or who ever appointed her. So, as far as I am concerned I don’t see anything wrong with an office holder enjoying the terms and conditions of her appointment,” he stated.
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