Also known as: Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo · Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkonoo · Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Torkornoo · Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkonoo · Justice Gertrude Torkornoo · Chief Justice Torkornoo · former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo · Mrs. Torkornoo · Madam Torkornoo · suspended former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo · former Chief Justice Torkornoo · Ms Torkornoo
Former Chief Justice removed from office September 2025 following committee inquiry; challenged removal through multiple court cases dismissed by 2026.
Suame Member of Parliament John Darko has described the process leading to the removal proceedings against Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo as inherently political, arguing that the case, though framed in legal terms, has always carried a strong political undertone. …
The Member of Parliament for Suame, John Darko, has commended former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo for what he described as her courage in pursuing legal redress, following the dismissal of her application by the ECOWAS Court of Justice. …
… Among the key issues slated for discussion is the decision of the ECOWAS Court to dismiss former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo’s application, alongside the jailing of the Managing Editor of the Herald newspaper, Larry Dogbe, by the High Court, with panellists expected to exami …
… Among the key issues slated for discussion were the decision of the ECOWAS Court to dismiss former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo’s application, alongside the jailing of the Managing Editor of the Herald newspaper, Larry Dogbe, by the High Court, of which panellists examined wh …
… Consider recent events: petitions seeking the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo were referred to the Council of State while former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo served on the Council and chaired its Legal, Constitutional Affairs and Petitions Committee. …
… Her decision to resign followed a well-publicised constitutional question which arose in August 2025, when the Council of State voted on the recommendation to remove then-Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, following three misconduct petitions referred to it by the president. …
… Consider recent events: petitions seeking the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo were referred to the Council of State while former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo served on the Council and chaired its Legal, Constitutional Affairs and Petitions Committee. …
The opposition New Patriotic Party has announced a nationwide demonstration on August 6, accusing the ruling government of undermining democratic principles and demanding the Attorney General withdraw criminal prosecutions of former NPP officials. The protest, titled "Democracy Under Attack," will involve collaboration with other political parties, civil society organisations, and youth movements, with petitions to be presented at the Supreme Court, Parliament, and the Presidency.
The opposition New Patriotic Party has announced a nationwide demonstration on August 6, accusing the ruling government of undermining democratic principles and demanding the Attorney General withdraw criminal prosecutions of former NPP officials. The protest, titled "Democracy Under Attack," will involve collaboration with other political parties, civil society organisations, and youth movements, with petitions to be presented at the Supreme Court, Parliament, and the Presidency.
A Supreme Court case (Kenneth Kwabena Agyei Kuranchie v The Attorney-General) seeks to interpret Article 66(2) of the 1992 Constitution on whether a president defeated after one term can serve two consecutive terms upon subsequent election—a provision that would effectively allow President Mahama, sworn in again on 7 January 2025, to seek a third term. The plaintiff has denied the action is aimed at securing a third term for Mahama, though the case's substance would open that possibility.
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has accused the NDC of political inconsistency, saying the party criticised the NPP administration's Supreme Court nominations while in opposition but is now nominating judges itself after returning to government. Afenyo-Markin acknowledged the President's constitutional authority to make such nominations but questioned whether the NDC is "a principled political party."
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has accused the NDC of political inconsistency, saying the party criticised the NPP administration's Supreme Court appointments while in opposition but is now making similar nominations under President Mahama. Afenyo-Markin acknowledged the President's constitutional authority to nominate judges but questioned the NDC's stated principles.
JoyNews' Newsfile programme on July 4 featured in-depth discussions on the recent devastating floods in Accra and the dismissal of legal challenges against the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, with expert analysis on flood management challenges and judicial developments.
DCOP Ayamga Akolgo has disclosed that he was one of the petitioners seeking the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, citing her abuse of judicial office, incompetence, and lack of judicial temperament. He states the President found merit in his petition and took action following consultation with the Council of State.
The Supreme Court has unanimously dismissed consolidated cases challenging the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, with a seven-member panel ruling that the suits lacked merit. Torkornoo was removed from office on September 1, 2025, following recommendations by a five-member committee of inquiry that found her culpable of breaches including alleged misuse of public funds and violations of constitutional procedures.
The Ghana Bar Association's president has called for the Judiciary to be insulated from political interference to deliver justice effectively, and urged the country to formulate clear guidelines for the removal of Superior Court judges, citing concerns about the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
Former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has mounted a multi-pronged legal challenge to her removal, involving five Supreme Court cases, three High Court suits (one abandoned), and a regional ECOWAS Court case that was dismissed on June 24, 2026, according to Deputy Attorney General Dr Justice Srem-Sai.
The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice dismissed all seven claims filed by former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo against Ghana, ending regional court proceedings over her suspension and removal from office. Legal practitioner Oliver Barker-Vormawor reflected that such constitutional disputes unfold on parallel legal and political tracks, with courts applying legal principles while public discourse develops independently along political lines.
Suame MP John Darko told Newsfile that the removal proceedings against Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, though framed in legal terms, were inherently political and reflected a predetermined political intention by actors involved. He argued that while the case engaged constitutional and human rights questions, the underlying dynamics pointed to a politically driven process rather than a purely judicial dispute.
The Member of Parliament for Suame has commended former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo for pursuing legal redress after the ECOWAS Court of Justice dismissed her application, saying she demonstrated exemplary commitment to the rule of law and urged citizens to follow lawful procedures when seeking justice.
Joy Online reports that Newsfile, a Saturday broadcast show hosted by Samson Lardy Anyenini, will convene a panel of experts to discuss recent developments including the ECOWAS Court's dismissal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo's application, the jailing of Herald managing editor Larry Dogbe, a $208 million methamphetamine seizure linked to Ghana, and the "Ken Must Go" campaign calling for NPP stalwart Kennedy Agyapong's dismissal from the party.
Ghana's Newsfile programme will discuss recent legal and governance developments including the ECOWAS Court's dismissal of former Chief Justice Torkornoo's application, the jailing of Herald Managing Editor Larry Dogbe, a $208 million methamphetamine seizure linked to Ghana, and the "Ken Must Go" campaign calling for NPP stalwart Kennedy Agyapong's dismissal from the party.
An opinion piece argues that former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo's resignation from Ghana's Council of State was not publicly disclosed until media reports emerged months later, raising concerns about democratic accountability and whether citizens should be informed when vacancies arise in this constitutional advisory body.
The ECOWAS Community Court has dismissed all seven claims filed by former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo against the Republic of Ghana, rejecting her allegations and her request for US$10 million in damages. The court ruled that Ghana did not violate any of the applicant's rights under the African Charter.
The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice has dismissed all seven claims filed by former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo against Ghana, including her challenge to her suspension and removal from office. The court also declined to award the US$10 million in damages she sought, finding that Ghana had not violated any of her rights under the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights.
Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo resigned from Ghana's Council of State in September 2025, but President Mahama did not confirm acceptance until June 2026, raising constitutional questions about the delay. Her resignation followed an August 2025 Council vote on removing Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, in which Akuffo abstained as the sole dissenting voice.
An opinion piece argues that the quiet resignation of former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo from Ghana's Council of State, announced only months later through media reports, represents a democratic accountability gap: while Council appointments are publicly announced, resignations have been treated as private matters, preventing citizens from knowing whether the constitutional body operates with vacancies or delayed replacements.
Former Director of the Ghana School of Law Kwaku Ansa-Asare has criticised the Council of State's composition as overwhelmingly partisan, arguing that members cannot freely express independent opinions and suggesting this may have contributed to recent high-profile resignations, including former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo's departure.
Legal academic Kwaku Ansa-Asare has argued that former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo's appointment to the Council of State was constitutionally flawed because it bypassed a more senior and constitutionally appropriate retired Chief Justice. He also criticized the government for delaying the public announcement of Akuffo's resignation until after it leaked to media.
Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo has resigned from Ghana's Council of State, having submitted her resignation last year and ceased attending meetings since then. Her resignation follows a period in which she became central to a judicial crisis involving then Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, abstaining on a Council vote and later testifying in Torkornoo's defence.
The Chairman of the NPP's Communications Committee has called on President Mahama to halt what he describes as a "creeping culture of silence," arguing that speech-related matters should be addressed through civil remedies rather than criminal prosecution. He cited several recent arrests of individuals linked to political commentary or public criticism, maintaining they do not meet the threshold for sedition offences.
The New Patriotic Party has petitioned Ghana's diplomatic community alleging that the Mahama administration is weaponising state institutions against political opponents, journalists, and critics, warning that the country is returning to a "culture of silence" through fear and politically motivated prosecutions.