Ghana's Supreme Court chief justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, has been suspended by President John Mahama amidst claims of misconduct, raising alarms among legal experts about the integrity of the judiciary.
Unprecedented Suspension of Ghana's Chief Justice Raises Concerns Over Judicial Independence
Unprecedented Suspension of Ghana's Chief Justice Raises Concerns Over Judicial Independence
President John Mahama's historic move to suspend Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has prompted allegations of political interference and judicial undermining.
In a groundbreaking move, Ghana's President John Mahama has suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, a decision that marks an unprecedented moment in the country's legal history. Allegations against Torkornoo have emerged through three undisclosed petitions, initiating an investigation into her conduct. In Ghana, chief justices are typically protected by security of tenure, which means they can only be dismissed under specific circumstances, including incompetence or misconduct.
The nature and details of the petitions against Torkornoo, who is the third female chief justice in Ghana’s history, remain largely unknown, and she has yet to make a public statement regarding her suspension. Godfred Yeboah Dame, Ghana's former attorney general, criticized the action as a blatant attempt to erode the independence of the judiciary, labeling it "the biggest assault" against the nation's judiciary.
Torkornoo was initially nominated by former President Nana Akufo-Addo in 2023 and has been tasked with overseeing the administration of justice within the country. Notably, her position was nearly jeopardized earlier this year due to a failed dismissal request that was deemed to have significant deficiencies by the former president.
The absence of immediate access to the petitions has sparked outrage among legal practitioners, who view it as an infringement on her right to a fair hearing. Following complaints, the documents were eventually provided to Torkornoo, enabling her to prepare a written response to the allegations addressed to her.
A five-member committee will now undertake a further review of the situation, providing Torkornoo with another opportunity to respond to the petitions before any final determination regarding her potential removal from office is made. This situation is being closely monitored as it could have profound implications for Ghana's governance and the rule of law.
