By: Belinda Nketia
Ghana’s suspended Chief Justice, Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, has today June 25 2025, publicly addressed the nation for the first time since her suspension, outlining three main reasons for speaking out as proceedings to remove her from office unfold.
“The removal process that I am involved in as Chief Justice is historic,” she stated. “In all of Ghana’s 68-year history as an independent Republic, there has never been a hearing for the removal of the Chief Justice.”
The Chief Justice expressed disappointment over how the process is being handled, adding that “every step of the removal process being undertaken against me is being done in a manner that breaks every rule on how justice is delivered in the country.”
She warned that the way the proceedings are being conducted could damage the legal foundations of the country.
Her second reason focused on institutional consequences. “Though I am in the process alone, its effects ripple far beyond me as a person,” she said. She noted that the outcome could influence how judges across all levels including the High Court amd the Supreme Court, as well as heads of independent constitutional bodies, are removed in the future.
C.J Torkornoo highlighted the protective intent of Article 146 of the Constitution, which outlines strict grounds and procedures for the removal of certain public officials. She listed positions affected by this provision, including the Auditor-General, Electoral Commission leadership, CHRAJ, and judges of the superior courts, stating that the framers of the Constitution sought to shield such offices from political interference.
The third reason for her address was what she described as “the troubling violations of the Constitution and illegality of the proceedings” from the outset. She revealed that she filed a case at the Supreme Court requesting that the hearings be made public rather than held behind closed doors.
“I asked for a public hearing, because I know that the secrecy of the proceedings for removing judges was not created in the Constitution to be used as a cover-up for any agenda,” she said. She also noted that the issues raised in the petitions “had been discussed extensively in the media before the hearings began” and did not qualify as matters of national security or sensitive public interest.
Background to the Suspension
Chief Justice Torkornoo, who was appointed in June 2023, was suspended earlier this year following petitions submitted to the President. The content of the petitions against her are believed to contain allegations related to her conduct in office.
Her suspension triggered a constitutional process under Article 146, leading to the formation of a committee to investigate the claims.
