President John Dramani Mahama has dismissed the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkonoo, following recommendations from a constitutional committee that upheld a petition alleging misconduct.
A statement from the Presidency on Monday said the decision was made in accordance with Article 146(9) of the 1992 Constitution, which mandates the President to act on the findings of such committees.
The move follows the receipt of a report from a panel constituted under Article 146(6) to investigate a petition submitted by a Ghanaian citizen, Mr Daniel Ofori.
The committee examined the evidence and concluded that the Chief Justice had grounds of stated misbehaviour, as defined under Article 146(1).
“Having considered the petition and the evidence, the Committee found that the grounds of stated misbehaviour had been established and recommended her removal from office. Under Article 146(9), the President is required to act in accordance with the committee’s recommendation,” the statement, signed by Presidential Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu, read.
Justice Torkonoo, who was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2019 and elevated as Chief Justice in June 2023, has thus been removed from office with immediate effect.
