President John Dramani Mahama has formally removed Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo from her position as Chief Justice and as a member of the Supreme Court.
The decision, which took effect on Monday, September 1, 2025, followed the recommendation of a committee established to investigate petitions alleging stated misbehaviour on her part.
Earlier in the day, the committee submitted its report to the President, who subsequently signed the removal order and affixed the Presidential Seal, confirming that Justice Torkornoo would no longer serve on the Supreme Court bench.
A statement from the presidency explained that the action was taken in line with Article 146(9) of the 1992 Constitution, which requires the President to act on the recommendations of such a committee.
The panel, chaired by Supreme Court Justice Gabriel Pwamang, concluded a four-month inquiry and found sufficient grounds to recommend her removal.
The constitutional provision states that “the President shall, in each case, act in accordance with the recommendations of the committee.”
The petition that triggered the proceedings was filed by Daniel Ofori, a Ghanaian citizen, who accused the Chief Justice of acts amounting to misbehaviour under Article 146(1).
Justice Torkornoo, appointed Chief Justice in 2023, becomes the first occupant of the role in Ghana’s Fourth Republic to be removed through this constitutional process.
She succeeded Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah upon his retirement in May 2023 and was the third woman to head the judiciary, after Justices Georgina Theodora Wood and Sophia Akuffo. Parliament approved her nomination on June 7, 2023.
Her removal has generated significant public debate, given its historic nature and implications for the independence of the judiciary.
Source: Adomonline
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