“Removed With Immediate Effect” — Ghana President John Mahama Fires Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo Over Abuse of Office

The President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, on Monday announced the immediate removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkonoo over alleged abuse of office.

Torkonoo, 61, the third woman to head Ghana’s Supreme Court, assumed the role in 2023 but was suspended following multiple complaints, including allegations of falsifying judicial records and misusing public funds.

In response, President Mahama established a five-member commission, led by another Supreme Court judge, to investigate the complaints. The commission concluded that the allegations were substantiated and recommended her removal.

A statement from the presidency said, “President John Dramani Mahama has… removed the Chief Justice… from office with immediate effect.” Torkonoo is the first sitting chief justice in Ghana’s history to be investigated and dismissed.

Mahama, who assumed office in January, has pledged to tackle corruption in the country. It is not yet clear whether Torkonoo will face criminal charges.

The decision has drawn criticism from former Deputy Attorney General Alfred Tuah-Yeboah, who questioned the basis of the removal, describing it as a “dangerous precedent.” He said,

“The petition that I read showed no proper grounds to warrant her removal… If the threshold is what we read in the petition, then I fear for the future of the judiciary. This decision may haunt us going into the future.”

It was not immediately clear whether Torkonoo would face any criminal charges.