Government’s Communications Minister, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has said that ongoing proceedings against suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo has no political motive describing claims suggesting otherwise by a section of Ghanaians and some NPP members as unfortunate lacking merit.
Kwakye Ofosu insisted that the procedures seeking her removal from office do not contravene the law, dismissing any notion of political interests, in a statement to the media following Justice Torkonoo’s press briefing on June 25.
“Regardless of the sensitivity of your position, once Ghanaian law mandates specific procedures regarding alleged misconduct, those rules must be enforced.”
“That is the sole guiding concept by which President Mahama has conducted himself throughout this process. Any assertion, reference, or insinuation of a political purpose attributed to the President concerning these processes is baseless, erroneous, and must not be permitted to persist,” he stated.
His statements come on the backdrop of an earlier press briefing by the Chief Justice who contended that the petitions and the procedure aimed at her removal are devoid of due process. He asserted that no such political agenda exists.
A lot of Ghanaians have shared their views on the ongoing petition against the Chief Justice. While some believe Justice Torkonoo deserves to maintain her position as the Chief Justice others are of the View that she has to be fired citing wrongful staff transfers and dismissal as potential abuse of office.
Key amongst those fighting for Justice Gertrude to be maintained are the minority in parliament. They have criticized President John Dramamni Mahama for attacking the Judiciary by making a case against the Chief Justice.
The current situation is unprecedented in the Republic’s history, as the impeachment of a sitting chief Justice is taking place concurrently with the hearing of the charges against her, awaiting the ultimate verdict from the Supreme Court.
In accordance with Article 146(10) of the Constitution, Justice Torkornoo has been suspended since April 22, 2025, after President John Dramani Mahama issued a preliminary determination in collaboration with the Council of State.
