Former Member of Parliament for Akim Abuakwa South, Samuel Atta Akyea, has asserted that the removal of Madam Gertrude Torkornoo as Chief Justice is done at a cost.
In his view, there will be a vicious cycle.
Convinced of his take on the Chief Justice issues, Atta Akyea told TV3's Beatrice Adu in an interview that "I practice before the court, so I am careful of what I say. Whatever it is, there are consequences. You will have another who will say,' When I don't like this Chief Justice, I will change the person'. That is going to be a vicious circle."
The Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo was removed from office by President John Dramani Mahama on Monday, September 1.
"President John Dramani Mahama has, in accordance with Article 146(9) of the 1992 Constitution, removed the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkonoo, from office with effect from today.". This is a consequence of receipt of report of the Committee under Article 146(6) to inquire into a petition submitted by a Ghanaian citizen, Mr Daniel Ofori. On hearing the petition and the evidence, the Committee decided that the grounds of stated misbehaviour under Article 146(1) had been established and recommended that she be removed from office. Under Article 146(9), the President is required to act in line with the recommendation of the committee," the statement further stated.
This followed after President John Dramani Mahama received the report of the Article 146 Committee of Inquiry which was constituted to investigate the petitions for the removal of Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo.
In accordance with constitutional provisions, President Mahama established a five-member committee to conduct the investigation, upon the determination of a prima facie case in three standalone petitions for the removal of Chief Justice from office, by the Council of State.
The committee was chaired by Supreme Court Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang. Members included Mr. Daniel Yaw Domelevo, retired Auditor-General; Major Flora Bazaanura Dalugo of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF); and Professor James Sefah Dzisah, Associate Professor, University of Ghana.
The President is to consider the report of the committee and notify him of his decision as stipulated under the provisions of the 1992 Constitution.
Justice Torkornoo was suspended on April 22, 2025, upon the establishment of a prima facie case against her following receipt of three separate petitions.
She was suspended, in consultation with the Council of State, in accordance with Article 146(6) of Ghana's 1992 Constitution.
Subsequently, the President appointed a five-person committee, headed by Supreme Court Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, to investigate the allegations.
Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, said after submitting the report to the presaisnt that "To the committee, our mandate and remit as defined under Article 146 Clauses (7) and (8) of the Constitution is clear and it is to inquire into the petitions in camera, hear the person against whom the petitions have been instituted in her defence herself or by a lawyer or other expert of her choice and then to make a recommendation to the President."
