Ghana’s President John Mahama has suspended the chief justice of the Supreme Court, marking a historic first for the nation.
An investigation is underway following the submission of three anonymous petitions alleging misconduct by Gertrude Torkornoo, which call for her permanent dismissal.
In Ghana, chief justices are protected by security of tenure, meaning they can only be removed under specific circumstances such as incompetence or misbehavior.
The details of the petitions remain confidential, and Torkornoo has not yet issued a statement.
Meanwhile, former attorney general Godfred Yeboah Dame has criticized the suspension, describing it as an effort to undermine the judiciary and labeling it a significant attack on judicial independence in the country.
Torkornoo, who became Ghana’s third female chief justice after her nomination by former president Nana Akufo-Addo in 2023, is tasked with overseeing the justice system in Ghana.
Earlier this year, she successfully defended against a removal request when Akufo-Addo noted that the petition had numerous flaws.
Initially, the petitions were not shared with her, leading some legal experts to argue that this was a breach of her right to a fair hearing.
However, the documents were later provided, enabling her to respond to the allegations in writing and privately.
A five-member committee will invite Torkornoo to address the petitions again before making a final determination regarding her potential removal from office.
