Ghana’s Chief Justice suspended in landmark executive action
Chief Justice Torkornoo, who was appointed by former President Nana Akufo-Addo in 2023, is the third woman to hold the top judicial position in Ghana.
Ghanaian President John Mahama has suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, triggering an unprecedented judicial standoff in the country’s history.
The decision follows the filing of three petitions seeking her removal from office, and an investigation is now underway to examine the allegations raised.
Although the specific claims in the petitions remain undisclosed, the move has sparked national debate, with critics describing it as a threat to the independence of the judiciary.
The suspension has drawn strong reactions, including from Ghana’s former Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, who criticised the president’s decision.
"I think it is a complete charade," Dame told the BBC.
"It's the biggest assault on the [judiciary] in the nation's history, the greatest assault on the independence of the judiciary under the constitutional dispensation of this country."
Chief Justice Torkornoo, who was appointed by former President Nana Akufo-Addo in 2023, is the third woman to hold the top judicial position in Ghana.
Her role includes ensuring justice is delivered effectively and fairly across the country’s legal system.
Under Ghanaian law, chief justices have security of tenure and may only be removed from office under specific conditions, including incompetence or misconduct.
The suspension of a sitting chief justice is extremely rare, making this case both unusual and sensitive.
Earlier in the year, a petition aimed at her removal was dismissed after former President Akufo-Addo noted that the document contained "several deficiencies".
Now, with three new petitions on the table, the legal process has been reignited.
Initially, Torkornoo was not provided with copies of the latest petitions.
This move was criticised by some legal experts, who argued it violated her right to a fair process.
They maintained that withholding the documents undermined transparency and procedural justice.
Subsequently, the chief justice was granted access to the petitions, enabling her to submit a private, written response to the allegations.
She is also expected to appear before a five-member committee formed to consider the petitions and make a recommendation on whether she should be removed.
Torkornoo has not yet publicly commented on the situation, and the nation awaits the outcome of the review.
Her legal team is expected to engage with the committee to contest the claims against her.
Her suspension has led to growing concerns within legal and political circles, as many see it as a potential turning point in Ghana’s democratic and constitutional order.
The former attorney general's remarks have amplified fears that the development could weaken public trust in the judiciary.
The five-member committee tasked with reviewing the matter will evaluate her responses before making a final decision on her fate.
The president’s final action will be based on the committee’s findings.