Sammy Gyamfi the Acting Managing Director of the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC) has reacted to President John Dramani Mahama suspending Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.
Sammy Gyamfi in his reaction thanked President Mahama for his courage.
He wrote on X, “Your suspension of the Chief Justice in accordance with the advice of the Council of State is a testament of your fidelity to the Constitution and the rule of Law”.
According to the presidency communication signed by the Minister of Government Communication, John Mahama suspended the Chief Justice following a prima facie case being determined against her by the Council of State.
Part of the statement read, “President John Dramani Mahama has, in accordance with Article 146(6) of the Constitution and in consultation with the Council of State, determined that a prima facie case has been established in respect of three petitions against the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.
The President has consequently, established a committee in compliance with Article 146(6) of the Constitution and in consultation with the Council of State with the following composition to inquire into the petitions which have been referred to them”.
Sammy Gyamfi during the last phase of the 2024 election campaign asserted that the Justice Administration in Ghana needs to be reset.
He stated, “Justice Administration in Ghana needs to be reset, the only way that can happen is when we get change on 7 December, so wear your boots go to the field, house to house, door to door, bed to bed, market to market, church to church, school to school, let us spread the good news of John Mahama and the NDC and by the grace of God victory will be ours. The people who oppress us today will oppress us no more after 7th December”.
Meanwhile, the specific allegations contained in the petitions have not been publicly disclosed.
Some allegations have also been levelled against Chief Justice Torkonoo for giving 6,000 dollars of Ghana’s money to her Husband to shop in Tanzania.
She is also alleged to have used GHS109,428 to buy a business-class world travel ticket for her daughter to go on her private holidays in the US and also 10,000 dollars as per diem.
Chief Justice Torkonoo was sworn in on June 12, 2023, becoming the 15th Chief Justice and the third female to hold the position in Ghana’s history.
Justice Torkornoo is a seasoned legal practitioner and judge with over two decades of experience on the bench.
She was first appointed as a Justice of the High Court in 2004, then elevated to the Court of Appeal in 2012, and finally to the Supreme Court in 2019.
Before her judicial appointments, she worked in private legal practice.
Additionally, the Supreme Court has once again adjourned the case challenging President John Mahama’s initiating process to remove Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo from office.
On 16 April, Prof Henrietta Mensah Bonsu the presiding judge explained that one of the panel was unavoidably absent, hence the adjournment and so the case will now be heard on May 6, 2025.
Thank you Mr. President @JDMahama for your courage.
Your suspension of the Chief Justice in accordance with the advice of the Council of State is a testament of your fidelity to the Constitution and the rule of Law. pic.twitter.com/3K245MZXVE— Sammy Gyamfi (@SammyGyamfi_) April 22, 2025
