President John Dramani Mahama has officially dismissed Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, acting on the recommendation of a special investigative committee that found her guilty of misconduct. Justice Torkornoo, who made history as Ghana’s third female Chief Justice, had been suspended earlier this year following multiple petitions questioning her conduct in office. The committee, chaired by Supreme Court judge Gabriel Pwamang, conducted its proceedings under Article 146 of the Constitution. Hearings were held in camera, with testimony from 13 witnesses against the Chief Justice and 12 witnesses in her defense. Torkornoo herself also testified.
After reviewing nearly 10,000 pages of evidence and legal documents, the panel concluded that she had engaged in acts amounting to misbehavior and recommended her removal. President Mahama acted swiftly on the findings, terminating her tenure immediately. While the report on the first petition has been finalized, hearings on a second petition were adjourned at the request of both parties. Further findings on the remaining cases are expected in the coming months. Torkornoo’s dismissal marks one of the most significant moments in Ghana’s judicial history, raising questions about judicial integrity, political influence, and the future of accountability within the country’s legal system.
