Story by, Paul Mensah Nsor
The removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo by President John Dramani Mahama has sparked a constitutional crisis in Ghana, with critics accusing the President of undermining the independence of the judiciary. The decision, made on September 1, 2025, follows a report by a committee constituted under Article 146(6) of the 1992 Constitution, which found grounds of stated misbehavior against the Chief Justice.
The move has been widely condemned by civil society, legal scholars, and ordinary Ghanaians, who see it as an assault on the integrity and image of the country. Elizabeth Ohene, a former Minister of State, has described the move as a "betrayal of democratic values" and a threat to the country's constitutionalism. She noted that the process used to remove the Chief Justice was "unconstitutional" and "shameful," with the President's actions seen as a fulfillment of a promise made by the NDC.
Undermining Judicial Independence: Critics argue that the removal of the Chief Justice undermines the independence of the judiciary and sets a dangerous precedent.
Unconstitutional Process: Many have questioned the process used to remove the Chief Justice, with some describing it as "unconstitutional."
-Impact on Democracy: The crisis has sparked concerns about the future of Ghana's democracy, with many calling for the President to respect the independence of the judiciary.
Justice Professor Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu A Supreme Court judge, Justice Mensa-Bonsu has warned that the process of removing the head of the judiciary has been "reduced to no more