In a major shake-up within the judiciary, President John Dramani Mahama has removed the Chief Justice of the Republic, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkonoo, from office with immediate effect.
The action was taken in accordance with Article 146(9) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.
The removal follows the submission of a report by a Committee constituted under Article 146(6) to investigate a petition filed by a Ghanaian citizen, Mr. Daniel Ofori.
The petition alleged stated misbehaviour on the part of the Chief Justice.
After a thorough inquiry, the Committee concluded that the allegations were substantiated and that the grounds for removal under Article 146(1) had been met. The Committee subsequently recommended her dismissal.
As stipulated by the Constitution, the President is obliged to act on the Committee’s findings. In a statement released by the Office of the President and signed by Mr. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Member of Parliament and Spokesperson to the President, it was confirmed that President Mahama had acted accordingly and effected the removal.
Justice Torkonoo, who was appointed Chief Justice in 2023, becomes the first Chief Justice in the Fourth Republic to be removed under this constitutional provision.
Ghana|Atinkaonline.com
