Ghana’s Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo suspended amid controversy over undisclosed petitions

As political tensions rise in various countries over the independence of the judiciary, Ghana finds itself at the center of a historic legal standoff. Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, the third female to hold the highest judicial office in Ghana after Georgina Theodora Wood and Sophia Akuffo, has been suspended from office following a direct move by President John Mahama.

The suspension comes after three undisclosed petitions were filed against Chief Justice Torkornoo, calling for her permanent removal. The details of these petitions have not yet been made public, sparking criticism from legal experts and members of the public. Critics argue that the suspension, carried out before the Chief Justice was granted access to the petitions, undermines judicial independence.

In Ghana, as in many countries, the office of the Chief Justice enjoys security of tenure. Removal from office can only occur on limited grounds such as gross incompetence or misconduct. Despite this, the presidency has initiated an investigation into the Chief Justice, with a five-member committee expected to review the allegations and determine whether removal is warranted.

Chief Justice Torkornoo, who rose to prominence in 2023 following her nomination by former President Nana Akufo-Addo, has not commented publicly on the matter. Meanwhile, Ghana’s Attorney General, Dominic Akuriti Ayine, has condemned the President’s actions, calling the suspension a deliberate attempt to undermine the judiciary.

This marks the second attempt to remove Justice Torkornoo from office. A previous effort failed due to discrepancies in the petition process. The current proceedings have already been labeled a “charade” by some legal practitioners, especially after it was revealed that the petitions were not initially shared with the Chief Justice prior to her suspension.

As Ghanaians await the committee’s findings and the full disclosure of the petition contents, the case has drawn widespread attention both locally and internationally, raising important questions about the balance of power between the executive and the judiciary in Ghana.

Simultaneously, in Kenya, the Supreme Court led by the country’s first female Chief Justice, Martha Koome is facing a wave of political hostility. Members of the political class have accused the Court of alleged incompetence, launching verbal attacks and threatening the Court’s legitimacy. These allegations have raised alarm among civil society groups and judicial defenders, who warn that such political interference could seriously damage the judiciary’s independence and credibility.