In a groundbreaking political development, President John Dramani Mahama has officially removed Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo from office making him the first sitting president under the Fourth Republic to take such an action.
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Political commentator Dr. Joshua Zaato has emphasized the historical significance of this move and has warned that the Electoral Commission (EC) Chair may be next in what might become a trend impacting Ghana’s constitutional institutions.
Background: Suspension and Removal Process
Chief Justice Torkornoo was suspended in April 2025, following the submission of three petitions alleging “stated misbehaviour,” as outlined by Article 146 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution. Acting in accordance with constitutional procedures, President Mahama consulted the Council of State and appointed a five-member committee to investigate the claims. When the committee found merit in the petitions, it recommended her removal from office.
On September 1, 2025, President Mahama officially removed Torkornoo, acting on the committee’s recommendation. This unprecedented decision has captivated public attention, raised legal debates, and triggered reflections on its wider implications for Ghana’s judiciary and democratic governance.
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Legal Experts Weigh In
Supporters of the removal argue that the process followed due constitutional channels, citing the system’s checks and balances — including the Council of State and an independent inquiry committee. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Presidential Communications Minister, defended the decision, asserting:
“Nobody is above the law. A properly constituted process has taken place. If Torkornoo had committed misconduct, this action was constitutionally justified.”
Critics, however, have raised alarm. Francis Asenso-Boakye, Member of Parliament for Bantama, called the move a calculated assault on judicial independence, warning:
“If a Chief Justice can be removed on flimsy grounds, tomorrow no judge will feel safe upholding the Constitution.”
Similarly, legal luminary Professor Stephen Adei cautioned against precedent-setting politicization of the judiciary, arguing for the preservation of institutional integrity over partisan gains.
A Possible Path Toward Targeting the EC Chair
In the midst of these developments, political observers note rumbling speculation around the potential removal of other independent constitutional agents. Dr. Joshua Zaato suggests that the EC Chairperson could be the next figure in line, citing the removal of the Chief Justice as a possible start of a broader realignment of Ghana’s public institutions under Mahama’s tenure.
If true, such a shift would dramatically alter the balance of power in Ghana’s political framework, raising deeper concerns about the future of impartial governance.
Reactions from Across the Political Spectrum
Responses to the Chief Justice’s removal have been mixed:
- Supporters of the President celebrate the constitutional adherence and transparency of the process.
- Opposition parties and civil society groups have decried it as a threat to democratic norms and the separation of powers.
- Academic voices and constitutional experts argue the move could destabilize the judiciary’s ability to act independently and without fear.
The debate continues to fuel national discourse, highlighting Ghana’s ongoing political maturation and evolving expectations of accountability.
The removal of Chief Justice Torkornoo marks a defining moment in Ghana’s democratic history. Beyond the immediate fallout, this decision raises critical questions:
- Will the independence of the judicial system be preserved?
- Are other constitutional institutions at risk of similar interventions?
- How will this influence Ghana’s jurisprudential tradition and institutional norms?
President Mahama’s decision—and the warning that the EC Chair may be next—has brought Ghana’s constitutional mechanisms into intense focus, prompting calls for vigilance, reform, and transparency.
