President John Dramani Mahama has removed Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo from office with immediate effect, marking a historic conclusion to Ghana’s first-ever constitutional proceeding against a sitting Chief Justice.
The decision comes after the President received the report of a committee constituted under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, which investigated allegations of misbehavior against the country’s highest judicial officer.
The removal follows months of constitutional proceedings that began in April 2025 when President Mahama suspended Torkornoo after determining a prima facie case existed in three separate petitions seeking her removal from office.
The suspension itself was unprecedented in Ghana’s judicial history, representing the first time a sitting chief justice had been suspended since the country’s return to constitutional democracy.
The constitutional process was initiated under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, which provides the framework for removing superior court judges on grounds of stated misbehavior or incompetence.
The preliminary investigation found sufficient grounds for an inquiry into her conduct in consultation with the Council of State, prompting the establishment of a five-member investigative committee.
Justice Torkornoo, who was appointed Chief Justice in May 2023, faced allegations that required thorough constitutional scrutiny. The investigative committee, established following constitutional provisions, conducted a comprehensive review of the petitions and evidence presented against her conduct in office.
The removal represents a significant moment in Ghana’s judicial governance, testing the robustness of constitutional mechanisms designed to ensure judicial accountability while maintaining the independence of the judiciary.
The President acted in accordance with the advice of the Council of State, issuing a warrant that suspended the Chief Justice with immediate effect pending the outcome of the committee’s proceedings.
The constitutional committee’s findings have now resulted in the ultimate sanction available under Ghana’s legal framework – removal from office. This decision underscores the principle that no judicial officer, regardless of rank, is above constitutional accountability mechanisms designed to maintain public confidence in the judiciary.
The development leaves Ghana’s Supreme Court requiring new leadership, with constitutional provisions guiding the appointment process for a new Chief Justice.
The removal also sets a significant precedent for judicial accountability in Ghana’s Fourth Republic, demonstrating that constitutional mechanisms for addressing judicial misconduct remain functional and effective.
This historic development in Ghana’s judicial landscape reflects the country’s commitment to maintaining constitutional governance and ensuring that all public officials, including those in the highest judicial positions, remain accountable to the people through established legal frameworks.
Story Written By Prince Asante Kwarteng | Kobby Kyei Media
