Suspend Chief Justice Torkornoo if there is a case for her removal – Ansa-Asare to Mahama

Statesman Kwaku Ansa-Asare has urged President John Dramani Mahama to suspend Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo if there is indeed a case for her removal.

According to a report by myjoyonline.com, Ansa-Asare, a former Director of the Ghana School of Law, said it would be improper for Justice Torkornoo to remain in office if there is a legitimate basis for her removal.

He stated that if a committee is established to investigate the petitions for her removal, her continued stay in office could interfere with the process.

He indicated that Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution obliges the president to suspend the Chief Justice under such circumstances.

“The moment the committee is set up, the President is then obliged to (may) suspend the Chief Justice, and I think it is fair.

"While the committee is inquiring into the allegation, the Chief Justice cannot remain in office because there is a likelihood of interference, and therefore, she has to step aside,” he is quoted as saying.

However, the legal luminary also noted that if the petitions against the Chief Justice have no merit, the president should dismiss them.

“If the petition is frivolous, then there is no need to set up a committee. But when the petition has some merit, and a prima facie case has been made, then the President will be right to suspend the Chief Justice,” he reiterated.

Meanwhile, Chief Justice Torkornoo has submitted her official response to the petitions seeking her removal from office, as of Monday, April 7, 2025.

According to a report by 3news.com, Justice Torkornoo submitted her response to President John Dramani Mahama and the Council of State before the expiration of a 10-day deadline given by the president after the petitions were filed.

The report noted that with her response now submitted, the Council of State will begin the review process to determine whether a prima facie case exists to warrant further proceedings.

President Mahama had given Justice Torkornoo 10 working days to respond to the three separate petitions seeking her removal.

In a letter dated March 27, 2025, Justice Torkornoo requested copies of the petitions and asked for at least seven days to respond, in line with due process requirements.

On March 25, 2025, President Mahama began consultations with the Council of State following the submission of the three petitions seeking the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo.

According to a statement from the Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the petitions were forwarded to the Council of State in accordance with the constitutional procedure outlined in Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution.

While the details of the petitions remain undisclosed, the development marks the beginning of a formal process that could potentially lead to significant changes within Ghana’s judicial system.

BAI/MA

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