Ghana is embroiled in a complex legal and political drama following accusations leveled against the government by suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Sackey Torkornoo.
The accusations come amidst an ongoing inquiry into petitions seeking her removal from office, alleging misconduct and abuse of judicial authority.
The saga began earlier this year, in 2025, when multiple petitions targeting Justice Torkornoo were submitted.
These petitions, alleging serious breaches of conduct, triggered Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, which governs the removal of the Chief Justice.
President John Dramani Mahama, as mandated by the Constitution, subsequently referred the petitions to the Council of State for review.
Following a prima facie determination by the Council of State, which suggested sufficient grounds for further investigation, President Mahama suspended Justice Torkornoo on April 22, 2025.
A five-member committee, chaired by Supreme Court Justice Gabriel Pwamang, was then established to delve into the veracity of the claims made in the petitions.
For months, Justice Torkornoo remained silent, refraining from public comment.
However, on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, she broke her silence, addressing the media for the first time since her suspension.
In a strongly worded statement, she accused the government of orchestrating a political agenda behind the ongoing inquiry.
She raised significant concerns regarding the constitutional and procedural legitimacy of the process aimed at removing her from office.
The government swiftly responded to Justice Torkornoo’sallegations.
Minister of State in charge of Government Communication, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, addressed a press briefing on the same day, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, categorically rejecting the suspended Chief Justice’s claims.
He insisted that President Mahama had acted strictly within the confines of the 1992 Constitution and that all actions taken thus far have adhered rigorously to its provisions.
Kwakye Ofosu described Justice Torkornoo’s public remarks as “most regrettable,” emphasising the government’s adherence to due process and constitutional mandates.
He stated that “as yet nobody, including the suspended Chief Justice has been able to ascribe any known verifiable constitutional breach to the President in the way he has handled the matter.”
He further argued that President Mahama was not only respecting the Constitution but would have been in breach of it had he not acted upon the petitions received.
The situation is further complicated by the confidentiality clauses enshrined within the 1992 Constitution regarding matters of this nature.
Public outcry has emerged suggesting that Justice Torkornoo should have been more mindful of these provisions and refrained from publicly commenting on the ongoing investigation.
Some have even accused her of contempt of law, citing the potential undermining of the integrity of the proceedings.
A recent poll conducted by Global Info Analytics indicates that 53% of Ghanaians support her suspension, suggesting a degree of public confidence in the government’s handling of the matter.
The outcome of the Pwamang Committee’s investigation will undoubtedly have significant ramifications for the future of the judiciary and the broader political landscape in Ghana.
The public awaits the findings of the committee, hoping for a resolution that upholds the integrity of the Constitution and ensures justice is served fairly and impartially.
The focus remains on whether the investigation will be perceived as a genuine pursuit of accountability or a politically motivated maneuver, a perception that will ultimately shape public trust in the institutions involved.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
