By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
Findings from a recent poll conducted by locally based research organisation Global InfoAnalytics show that a majority of Ghanaians support a petition seeking the removal of Her Ladyship Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo as Ghana’s Chief Justice.
The survey, conducted between April 7 and April 16, 2025, sampled 2,545 voters across all 16 regions of Ghana.
According to the findings, 52% of voters support the Chief Justice’s removal, while 20% oppose it. Additionally, 18% of respondents were neutral, and 10% expressed no opinion.
When those who opposed, were neutral, or had no opinion were asked whether they would support the removal if evidence of legal misconduct emerged, 30% indicated they would support it, while 35% remained opposed, 19% stayed neutral, and 16% still had no opinion.
The poll also highlighted regional variations in voter sentiment. In the Greater Accra Region, 58% of respondents supported the Chief Justice’s removal, compared to 16% who opposed it.
In the Central Region, 51% supported the move, while 16% opposed it. However, the Ahafo and Upper East regions were exceptions, where support for removal did not constitute a majority.
Educational background also played a role in shaping opinions. Among respondents with junior high school (JHS) education, 57% supported the removal, compared to 17% who opposed it.
For those with senior high school (SHS) education, 50% supported the move, while 21% opposed it. Among tertiary-educated respondents, 54% supported removal, while 18% opposed it.
Even among those without formal education, 37% supported the Chief Justice’s removal, while 30% opposed it.
Political affiliations, according to the findings, further influenced voter opinions. Among those who voted for John Dramani Mahama in the 2024 election, 79% supported the Chief Justice’s removal, while only 4% opposed it.
Conversely, among voters who supported Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, 17% backed the removal, while 47% opposed it. For voters who supported other candidates, 38% were in favour, 19% opposed, and 23% remained neutral.
The poll underscores the complex dynamics of public opinion surrounding the Chief Justice’s role and highlights the influence of regional, educational, and political factors on voter sentiment.
