A Ghanaian citizen, Prof. Stephen Kwaku Asare, has filed a formal petition requesting President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to remove Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo from office. The petition, dated December 17, 2024, accuses the Chief Justice of misbehavior and incompetence in her administrative role as the judiciary’s head.
Prof. Asare claims the Chief Justice violated constitutional procedures by independently recommending five judges for Supreme Court appointments, bypassing the Judicial Council’s advisory role outlined in Article 144(2) of the 1992 Constitution. He also cited examples of alleged arbitrary judge transfers and panel reconstitutions, suggesting these actions undermined judicial impartiality and public trust.
Other allegations include issuing unauthorized practice directions, financial mismanagement, and decisions perceived as unreasonable or influenced by external forces. Prof. Asare contends that these actions amount to “stated misbehavior” and meet the constitutional grounds for removal under Article 146(1).
The process for the Chief Justice’s removal involves a committee review, Parliament’s approval, and adherence to constitutional protocols. The President has yet to respond to the petition.
