Committee probing Chief Justice’s removal begins hearings today

The committee established by President John Dramani Mahama to investigate three separate petitions against Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo will officially begin its hearings on Thursday, May 15, 2025, amidst growing political tensions and public protests over what critics describe as an unprecedented attack on the independence of Ghana’s judiciary.

The five-member committee, chaired by Supreme Court Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, was constituted in accordance with Article 146(6) of the 1992 Constitution, following the President’s determination that a prima facie case had been established.

The formation of this tribunal was done in consultation with the Council of State and is empowered to sit thrice weekly before submitting its recommendations directly to the President upon the conclusion of its work.

Political Tempest and Civil Society Alarm

The announcement of the hearings comes just days after the Chief Justice was controversially suspended by President Mahama, a move that has rocked the country’s political and legal landscape.

The decision, which the Presidency claims is based on allegations of misconduct and judicial bias, has drawn a torrent of condemnation from civil society organizations, legal associations, and opposition political figures.

Legal observers have noted that this is the first time in Ghana’s Fourth Republic that a sitting Chief Justice has been suspended and subjected to a formal inquiry in such a politically charged environment.

Critics argue the action not only threatens the sanctity of judicial independence but also risks triggering a constitutional crisis if due process and transparency are not rigorously followed.

Mass Protest and Political Unity Against Suspension

On May 5, in a rare moment of cross-party consensus, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) joined by several opposition groups in a massive protest marched through Accra to denounce the suspension as politically motivated.

Protesters, dressed in red and black to signify mourning and resistance, carried placards reading “Hands Off the Judiciary” and “Defend the Rule of Law.”

The protest began at the iconic Obra Spot at Kwame Nkrumah Circle and snaked its way to the Supreme Court, where a formal petition was delivered by an NPP delegation led by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin.

The group later proceeded to Parliament House, under the protection of heavy police deployment, demanding the reinstatement of Justice Torkornoo and calling on the judiciary to reject executive intimidation.

Timeline of Events

Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, appointed by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and confirmed by Parliament in 2023, became the third female Chief Justice to serve in Ghana’s Fourth Republic.

Widely respected for her legal acumen and reformist agenda, her abrupt suspension two weeks ago stunned the legal community and the general public.

The Presidency’s justification centers on yet-to-be-published allegations of conflict of interest and abuse of judicial discretion in high-profile political cases.

However, the timing of the suspension—soon after she publicly resisted executive attempts to influence judicial appointments—has led many to question the motive behind the probe.

Public Expectations and Concerns

Government Communications Minister, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, in a statement released on Wednesday, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to constitutional processes, insisting that the inquiry is not an attack on judicial independence but a legitimate response to multiple petitions received.

Nonetheless, legal experts and governance analysts warn that any perceived interference in the judiciary could have long-term consequences, including reduced public confidence in the rule of law and a chilling effect on judicial integrity.

Awaiting the Outcome

The Justice Pwamang Committee is expected to conduct its hearings behind closed doors, in line with the sensitive nature of the allegations.

Its findings could range from exoneration to a recommendation for impeachment, depending on the evidence presented.

For now, all eyes are on President Mahama and his next move, as the case continues to test the resilience of Ghana’s democratic institutions.