Ghana’s President John Mahama has removed Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo from office effective immediately, following a constitutional committee’s recommendation that found her guilty of stated misbehaviour. This historic decision marks the first dismissal of a sitting chief justice in Ghana, raising significant concerns about judicial independence.
The presidency announced the removal on September 1, 2025, in accordance with Article 146(9) of the 1992 Constitution. The action was based on the report of a five-member committee established to investigate petitions, including one from citizen Daniel Ofori dated March 17, 2025, which alleged misconduct and abuse of office. The committee reviewed over 10,000 pages of evidence and heard testimony from 13 witnesses for the petitioner, as well as from Torkornoo and 12 witnesses she called, before concluding that grounds for removal had been established.
Chief Justice Torkornoo had been under suspension since April 2025 after multiple complaints were lodged against her. The investigation process was initiated following petitions that accused her of bias in certain rulings, particularly those involving the current governing party, which was in opposition at the time. The committee’s findings led to the recommendation for her removal, which the president is constitutionally obligated to follow under Ghana’s legal framework.
Torkornoo, who was nominated by former President Nana Akufo-Addo and became Ghana’s third female chief justice in June 2023, has vehemently denied the allegations, describing them as unfounded and politically motivated. She argued that the petition had several deficiencies and was part of an effort to undermine her leadership and the judiciary’s independence. Her supporters, including former deputy attorney general Alfred Tuah-Yeboah, have criticized the decision, warning that it sets a dangerous precedent and could weaken the judicial system.
The opposition New Patriotic Party had previously condemned her suspension, calling it a political witch hunt and an attempt to influence judicial outcomes. Multiple lawsuits challenging the removal process were filed but were unsuccessful, with courts upholding the committee’s proceedings. Notably, Torkornoo had survived a previous removal request under Akufo-Addo, who found that earlier petition lacking in substance.
This event has ignited a intense national debate on the balance between holding judicial officials accountable and preserving the independence of the judiciary. It highlights the challenges within Ghana’s constitutional framework, where chief justices enjoy security of tenure and can only be removed for specific reasons such as incompetence or misbehaviour, raising questions about the threshold and process for such actions.
The fallout from this decision is expected to have lasting implications for Ghana’s judicial system. It may affect public trust in the judiciary, influence future judicial appointments and reforms, and potentially impact the country’s democratic stability. The presidency is now tasked with appointing a new chief justice, a process that will be closely watched for signs of political interference or commitment to judicial integrity.
Moving forward, this case underscores the need for clear guidelines and transparent processes in handling allegations against high-ranking judicial officials to maintain confidence in the rule of law while ensuring accountability.