Africa-Press – Ghana. A coalition of political parties has urged Ghanaians to support the ongoing process to remove Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Torkornoo, to ensure it follows due process to conclusion.
The five parties, under the umbrella name, the Third Force Alliance, Ghana, said this would establish the truth or otherwise of the claims against the Chief Justice.
The parties include the Convention People’s Party (CPP), the People’s National Convention (PNC), the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP), the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP), and the All People’s Party (APC).
President John Dramani Mahama suspended the Chief Justice on April 22, 2025, after a prima facie case was established against her by the Council of State, following a review of three petitions brought against her.
A five-member committee was subsequently set up to investigate the petitions.
The opposition New Patriotic Party has since described the suspension as “an attack on the country’s democracy” and an attempt to silence the judiciary, urging the government to revoke it.
However, the government insists it is acting in accordance with the law.
Addressing a news conference in Accra, Mr. Awudu Ishaq, PNC General Secretary, speaking for the coalition, urged Ghanaians to allow the process to reach its logical conclusion to strengthen democracy.
He stated that Article 46 outlines how Justices, including the Chief Justice, may be removed, with safeguards against arbitrary dismissal.
“In this matter, there is no indication that the President, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, has acted outside the bounds of the Constitution,” he said.
Mr. Ishaq urged Ghanaians to de-politicize the removal process, calling for calm, fidelity to due process, and a commitment to strengthening the institutional frameworks that underpinned the rule of law.
“The framers of the 1992 Constitution did not envisage that one day there would be a President of the Republic called John Dramani Mahama, and a Chief Justice called Gertrude Araba Esaba Torkornoo, who would have petitions written against her.”
“It is important to state upfront that the invocation of Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution should not be about the personalities of President Mahama or Chief Justice Torkornoo, but about the rule of law, good governance, and the sanctity of the Constitution,” he added.
To address such matters going forward, Mr. Ishaq made five proposals for constructive nation-building.
Among these is the establishment of an independent assessment committee to determine prima facie cases against Justices of the Supreme Court, including the Chief Justice, to ensure impartiality and remove perceived executive influence.
Ishaq also proposed an amendment to Article 146 to introduce statutory timelines for all determinations, investigations, and reporting, to prevent delays and abuse.
He called for the creation of a Judicial Integrity Commission, independent of the Judicial Council, to investigate complaints against judges and recommend disciplinary measures, including removal where appropriate.
“Alliance believes that a standing Judicial Integrity Commission, independent of the Judicial Council and insulated from political interference, should be created to investigate complaints
against judges and recommend disciplinary measures, including removal in appropriate cases,” he said.
Other proposals include establishing clear grounds for the removal of a Chief Justice and publishing committee reports once decisions are made.
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