- Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo has condemned the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, saying the allegations against her lacked the seriousness required for such a drastic decision.
- In an interview with TV3, Akuffo described the process as a “rigmarole” and warned that it undermines the judiciary’s integrity.
- President Mahama removed Torkornoo on September 1, 2025, following a committee recommendation under Article 146 of the Constitution.
The removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has sparked a wave of concern — and former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo is leading the charge.
In a forthcoming interview with TV3, Akuffo, who now serves on the Council of State, questioned the legitimacy and gravity of the allegations that led to Torkornoo’s dismissal. She described the process as a “rigmarole” — a term she used to underscore what she sees as a convoluted and unjust ordeal unworthy of any judge, let alone the head of Ghana’s judiciary.
President John Dramani Mahama acted on September 1, invoking Article 146(9) of the 1992 Constitution to remove Torkornoo from office. The decision followed a recommendation by a committee established under Article 146(6), which investigated a petition filed by citizen Daniel Ofori. The Presidency, through spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu, said Mahama was constitutionally bound to act on the committee’s findings.
But Akuffo isn’t convinced the process was fair. She argued that the allegations lacked the weight to justify removing the Chief Justice and warned that the manner in which the case was handled could erode public confidence in the judiciary.
Her comments come amid growing debate over the independence of Ghana’s judicial system and the political pressures that surround high-profile removals. For Akuffo, the issue isn’t just legal — it’s institutional, and deeply personal.
