In an unprecedented development, Ghana President John Mahama has suspended the country’s Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, pending the outcome of a formal investigation into allegations against her.
This historic decision marks the first time a sitting chief justice has been suspended in Ghana’s democratic history.
The suspension comes after three separate petitions were submitted to the president, each calling for Justice Torkornoo’s removal from office.
While the exact content of the petitions has not been made public, they reportedly contain serious accusations which, under Ghanaian law, may warrant dismissal if found to involve incompetence, abuse of office, or misconduct.
Justice Torkornoo, appointed in 2023, is the third woman to hold the position of Chief Justice in Ghana. She has not yet publicly responded to the allegations or her suspension.
Under Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, justices of the Supreme Court, including the Chief Justice, enjoy security of tenure.
They can only be removed following a strict legal process involving the president, the Council of State, and a committee set up by the Judicial Council.
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Former Attorney General Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong has criticized the suspension, calling it a politically motivated move aimed at weakening judicial independence.
“This action undermines the principle of separation of powers and sets a dangerous precedent for judicial autonomy in Ghana,” she said.
The presidency has insisted that due process is being followed and that the decision to suspend the chief justice was made in accordance with constitutional provisions to allow for a fair and transparent investigation.
The development has sparked widespread debate across Ghana’s legal and political circles, with calls from civil society groups and legal practitioners for transparency and respect for the rule of law as the case unfolds.
BBC
