On April 22, 2025, Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo following the submission of three undisclosed petitions alleging misconduct and incompetence. This marks the first time a Chief Justice has been suspended under Ghana’s 1992 Constitution. The suspension was enacted after consultations with the Council of State, which concluded that a prima facie case had been established, leading to the formation of a five-member committee to investigate the allegations.
The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has criticized the suspension as politically motivated and unconstitutional, arguing that it undermines judicial independence and due process. NPP officials, including Henry Nana Boakye and Secretary-General Justin Fimpong-Kodua, have called for Torkornoo’s reinstatement and threatened protests.
Previously, in December 2024, Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare petitioned then-President Nana Akufo-Addo to remove Chief Justice Torkornoo, citing alleged misconduct in her administrative role, such as unilaterally recommending the appointment of five Justices of Appeal to the Supreme Court without consulting the Judicial Council, and interfering with judicial panels. However, President Akufo-Addo dismissed the petition in January 2025, describing it as “frivolous, vexatious, and unmeritorious,” citing a lack of supporting evidence.
Following the suspension, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has been appointed as Acting Chief Justice. The investigative committee includes two Supreme Court Justices, Gabriel Pwamang and Samuel Adibu Asiedu, among others.
The situation continues to develop, with significant political and legal implications for Ghana’s judiciary.
