Accra, Ghana – September 1, 2025, 10:04 PM GMT
Ghana’s President Mahama Ousts Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo in Historic Judicial Shake-Up sparking myriad criticism and praises from the public
In a groundbreaking move, President John Dramani Mahama has removed Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo from office with immediate effect, marking the first time in Ghana’s democratic history that a chief justice has been ousted. The decision, announced earlier today, follows a detailed investigation by a five-member constitutional committee established under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution.
The committee, chaired by Supreme Court Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, recommended her removal after finding evidence of “stated misbehaviour,” citing allegations of misconduct that included misuse of public funds and attempts to influence judicial appointments. The news, first reported by JoyNews, has sent shockwaves through the nation’s political and legal circles.
The committee’s investigation, which began in April 2025, reviewed three separate petitions against Torkonoo, supported by testimony from 13 witnesses and over 10,000 pages of documentary evidence. Torkonoo, who has served as Chief Justice since 2023, faced accusations of sponsoring her husband and daughter on vacations with state money and attempting to sway former President Nana Akufo-Addo to appoint five judges of her choosing without due process. In a press conference on June 25, Torkonoo vehemently denied these claims, accusing the committee of violating her rights and dismissing the allegations as politically motivated. Despite her efforts to halt the process through legal challenges, including appeals to the Supreme Court and the ECOWAS Community Court, all attempts were rejected.
The removal has ignited a fierce debate across Ghana. Supporters of Mahama, including former ambassador Dr. Tony Aidoo, argue that the action is a necessary step to cleanse the judiciary of corruption and restore public trust. “If there’s a stench in the room, you have to let in fresh air,” Aidoo told Joy FM, echoing the president’s stance. However, opposition lawmakers from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have condemned the move as a “judicial coup,” alleging that Mahama is attempting to pack the courts with loyalists ahead of future elections. The opposition claims the process violated due process, pointing to the closed-door nature of the hearings and the rejection of Torkonoo’s legal defenses.
Public reaction on social media, particularly on X, reflects the polarized views. Posts from accounts like@GhanaTrendsInc and @JoyNewsOnTV have amplified the story, with the trending topic highlighting urgent questions about the balance of power in Ghana’s democracy. Some citizens call for a new Chief Justice to implement reforms, such as setting a two-month limit on court cases, as suggested by @madison_ben5. Others warn of a slippery slope toward executive overreach, with international observers now closely monitoring the situation given Ghana’s reputation as a stable democracy in West Africa.
Torkonoo’s tenure, which began under Akufo-Addo’s administration, had already faced scrutiny earlier in 2024 when a petition to remove her was dismissed due to insufficient evidence. Her leadership saw several high-profile rulings, including a 2024 decision that overturned the Speaker’s declaration of four MPs’ seats as vacant, a ruling perceived by some as favoring Akufo-Addo’s party. This history has fueled speculation that her removal may be retaliatory, tied to political tensions between Mahama’s National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the NPP. As of now, no new Chief Justice has been appointed, leaving the judiciary in a state of uncertainty.
The international community has yet to issue an official response, but the move is likely to draw attention from organizations like the African Union and human rights groups, given its implications for judicial independence. Reuters reported that Mahama’s office confirmed the decision was based on the committee’s findings, while Torkonoo’s allies plan to challenge the outcome further, potentially escalating the matter to regional courts. As Ghana navigates this unprecedented crisis, the long-term impact on its democratic institutions remains unclear, with no peer-reviewed studies yet available to predict the outcome.
For now, the nation watches as President Mahama addresses the nation tomorrow morning, promising to outline his vision for a reformed judiciary. The dismissal of Chief Justice Torkonoo, effective as of 3:00 PM GMT today, underscores a pivotal moment in Ghana’s governance, testing the resilience of its constitutional framework and the separation of powers. As debates rage on, the story continues to unfold, with citizens and analysts alike awaiting the next chapter in this dramatic political saga.
Background: Ghana’s President John Mahama Ousting Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo
President John Mahama has finally removed Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo as Chief Justice following months of disputes in h judicial processes#GhanaTrends https://t.co/XoqCIeuhI0
— GhanaTrends.com (@GhanaTrendsInc) September 1, 2025
Ghana’s judiciary has long been regarded as a cornerstone of its democratic stability since the return to multiparty rule in 1992. The country has seen 15 chief justices, all of whom retired without incident until now, with removals permitted only for incompetence or misbehaviour under Article 146. Torkonoo, appointed in 2023 by then-President Akufo-Addo, was the third female Chief Justice and oversaw a judiciary often praised for its independence, notably during the 2013 election petition case where Mahama’s victory was upheld.
However, recent years have seen growing public discontent with judicial delays and perceived political bias, setting the stage for the current controversy. This historical context highlights the rarity and significance of Mahama’s action, which breaks from a tradition of judicial autonomy and raises questions about the future of governance in the West African nation.
