Ghana Chief Justice Suspension: Nation Grapples with Separation of Powers
The suspension of the chief justice of the supreme court of Ghana, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, and the investigation ordered by Ghana's president, John Mahama, over allegations of abuse of office is throwing up a big constitutional puzzle and political headache for the west African country. It has provoked deep questions about the balance of power, the independence of the judiciary and the integrity of the country's democratic leadership. The President's Action and Constitutional Grounds Supporters of President Mahama argue three anonymous petitions of corruption and suspected impropriety justify his decision. However, critics argue President Mahama's course of action undermines Article 146 of Ghana's 1992 Constitution. This article explains the procedure to impeach a Chief Justice "on the ground of proven misbehaviour or incapacity" (i.e., for incompetence or for misbehaviour). Here is the constitution, which is a cornerstone of the […]
