Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin has described various petitions to remove the Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo from office as politically motivated efforts.
According to him, the judiciary must not sit silently and watch as the ruling government attempts to do as they please.
The Minority Leader expressed concerns about the judiciary’s impartiality being compromised, warning of attempts by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government to politicize the judicial system.
“The Judiciary should not be seen as part of the partisan political system in our country. All we need is an impartial judiciary to dispense justice”.
He urged judges across the country to resist what he termed an orchestrated move to remove the Chief Justice under questionable circumstances.
The Minority Leader also appealed to the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) to break its silence and condemn the developments, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the judiciary’s independence.
Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkonoo was given 10 days by President John Dramani Mahama to submit a response to petitions seeking her removal from the high office, a timeline which has already elapsed.
President Mahama’s directive comes after Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo made a formal request demanding copies of the petitions filed against her seeking her removal from office.
“Accordingly, you are respectfully requested to submit your preliminary response to the petitions within ten (10) days of receipt of this letter to facilitate further consultation between His Excellency and the Council of State.”
n a letter to the embattled Chief Justice, President John Mahama expressed disappointment over the circulation of her request for copies of the three petitions filed against her.
“His Excellency, however, notes with disappointment that your letter of 27th March 2025 addressed to him was circulating on social media even before he could review its contents. The letter was reportedly shared as an attachment to another letter you wrote to the President of the Supreme Court, the President of the Association of Magistrates and Judges and the President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA).”
The petitions, which have stirred significant debate within legal and political circles, were submitted by petitioners questioning the Chief Justice’s conduct and suitability to continue in her role.
While the specific details of the allegations remain undisclosed, the move signals a high-stakes legal and constitutional battle ahead.
By invoking this timeline, the Chief Justice must now swiftly present her case or risk further proceedings that could determine her future in office.
On Wednesday April 16, 2025, the Supreme Court adjourned the hearing of an injunction application challenging the procedure initiated by President John Mahama that could lead to the Chief Justice’s removal.
The hearing is now scheduled for May 6, following an application filed by legal representatives seeking to block the ongoing process.
