By: Ashiadey Dotse
Suspended Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Esabaa Torkornoo, says resigning or retiring while proceedings to remove a judge are in progress is not an option, describing such actions as unconstitutional and dangerous for Ghana’s democracy.
Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, the Chief Justice said resigning or retiring while Article 146 proceedings are ongoing is not an option for any judge or public officer. According to her, the law is clear: anyone who exits without defending themselves during such proceedings risks losing all their entitlements.
“There is a Supreme Court ruling on this Suit Number J6/02/2019 which clearly states that no one can walk away from a process started by the state. If you do, judgment can be entered against you, and you will lose everything you’ve worked for,” she warned.
She added that resigning in the middle of the process would be surrendering to political pressure and false allegations.
“If I resign now, I will be endorsing a flawed, secretive, and unjust process. I cannot do that,” she declared.
The suspended Chief Justice further noted that the current situation is part of a broader political agenda to intimidate and remove public officials using false claims.
“The intention is to frustrate me so I give up, just so they can say I had no defense. But I won’t run. I will stand and fight,” she said firmly.
She cautioned that if such tactics succeed without challenge, it would set a dangerous precedent that could affect all public officials, not just judges.
“This is not just about me. If this is allowed to happen, it can be used against any judge or commissioner in the future. Ghana has come too far in 33 years of democracy to allow this,” she said.
