President John Dramani Mahama has, in accordance with Article 146(9) of the 1992 Constitution, removed Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo from office with immediate effect.
The dismissal follows the submission of a report by a Committee established under Article 146(6) to investigate a petition seeking her removal. The petition was filed by Ghanaian citizen, Mr. Daniel Ofori.
A statement issued by the Minister for Government Communication, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, confirmed the removal, stating:
“After considering the petition and the evidence, the Committee found that the grounds of stated misbehaviour under Article 146(1) had been established and recommended her removal from office.”
Under Article 146(9), the President is constitutionally mandated to act in accordance with the Committee’s recommendations.
Earlier yesterday, the five-member Committee, chaired by Supreme Court Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, presented its final report to President Mahama at the Jubilee House.
Justice Pwamang, addressing the President, noted:
“The Committee restrained itself throughout the process, even in the face of blatant false statements made about members of the Committee and our work.”
He further revealed that,the Committee heard evidence from 13 witnesses presented by the petitioner, the Chief Justice called 12 witnesses, including expert witnesses, and personally testified under cross-examination, over 10,000 pages of documentary evidence were submitted by both parties and both sides were represented by four lawyers each.
“After critical and dispassionate assessment of all the evidence—expert and otherwise—against the provisions of the Constitution and relevant laws, we have, without fear or favour, arrived at a recommendation on the first petition,” Justice Pwamang said.
The Committee was formed in April after a prima facie case was established against the Chief Justice. Following this determination, she was suspended immediately by a presidential warrant under Article 146(10)(b) of the Constitution.
The full Committee comprised, Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang – Supreme Court Judge (Chairperson), Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu-Asiedu – Supreme Court Judge, Daniel Yaw Domelevo – Former Auditor-General, Professor James Sefah Dzisah – Associate Professor, University of Ghana and Major Flora Bazaanura Dalugo – Ghana Armed Forces.
The President’s action marks a significant moment in Ghana’s judicial history, reinforcing constitutional mechanisms for judicial accountability.
