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 · Mrs Torkornoo · then-Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo
Former Chief Justice removed from office in September 2025; her removal has been challenged in multiple court cases and remains subject to legal dispute.
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. …
A private citizen has filed a suit at the Supreme Court seeking to compel President Mahama to appoint a former Chief Justice to the Council of State, following the resignation of retired Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo from her ex-officio position. The suit argues that the Constitution requires the President to fill the vacancy and requests the court declare any failure to do so unconstitutional.
A private citizen has filed a suit at the Supreme Court seeking to compel President Mahama to appoint a former Chief Justice to the Council of State, following the resignation of retired Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo from her ex-officio position. The suit argues that the Constitution requires the President to fill the vacancy and requests the court declare any failure to do so unconstitutional.
Dr Arthur Kobina Kennedy said Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie does not need ethical laws to recognise that his recent comments about state-owned institutions were inappropriate, and questioned whether the CJ is worthy of office if he does. The Chief Justice had praised SSNIT and MIIF performance during visits on September 2, questioning what Ghana had accomplished over the previous eight years.
Political activist Dr Arthur Kobina Kennedy has called on Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie to apologise for comments made during visits to state-owned enterprises, saying the remarks were beneath his office's dignity and risked creating the impression of taking a political position. The Chief Justice faced criticism after praising the Minerals Income Investment Fund and other public institutions during recent visits, questioning what Ghana had been doing over the previous eight years.
Daily Guide reports that an image circulated showing someone resembling Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie praising the NDC's performance over the past two years and criticizing the NPP's eight-year record. The publication initially questioned whether the presentation was AI-generated, but said the absence of a disclaimer from the Chief Justice has led them to believe it was genuine, which they argue compromises judicial impartiality.
Legal scholar Prof Kwaku Asare has cautioned Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie against making public comments that could be interpreted as partisan political assessments, arguing that the Chief Justice's reference to "the past eight years" in remarks about state institutions carried political meaning and risked undermining judicial independence.
Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has praised the performance of the Minerals Income Investment Fund and other public institutions under the current administration, saying he wondered what Ghana was doing in the past eight years after witnessing their developments.
An opinion piece argues that Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin is behaving "like a Tarzan," defying laws by making personal insults against judges under the guise of criticism, drawing a parallel to Dr Charles Wereko-Brobby's unlicensed 1994 radio station. The writer distinguishes between lawful criticism and unlawful personal insults, contending that Afenyo-Markin's allegations that judges serve "the interests of their paymasters" constitute insults that require proof.
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.
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.