President John Mahama has stated that his administration is waiting for the special committee’s findings on the suspended Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, as part of the constitutional process. Speaking to the Council of State at the Jubilee House, Mahama noted that the council had already played its role in the inquiry’s early stages. “We’ve done our part. Now it’s up to the committee to release its findings, and we’ll take it from there,” Mahama said, acknowledging the sensitivity of the matter.
The committee, established under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, investigates petitions against the Chief Justice and makes recommendations. Gertrude Torkornoo was suspended in April 2025 following three petitions alleging misconduct. The committee is currently probing the allegations, with some Judicial Service staff testifying as witnesses.
In a related development, Chief Justice Torkornoo has filed a judicial review challenging the unanimous dismissal of her application to halt her suspension and impeachment proceedings. She has asked the court to declare all the proceedings of the five-member committee hearing three petitions for her removal null and void, citing violations of her human rights.
The suspension has sparked debates about judicial independence and the rule of law, with critics expressing concerns about the potential implications. The outcome of the committee’s investigation and the judicial review will likely have significant implications for Ghana’s judiciary and the country’s democratic institutions.
