The Majority in Parliament has reiterated a firm call for suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo to adhere to the constitutional provisions surrounding her potential removal from office.
Speaking on behalf of the Majority, Leader of Government Business Hon. Mahama Ayariga maintained that every step taken thus far in the matter is consistent with Ghana’s constitutional framework, and he rejected public suggestions to the contrary.
“I pay attention to processes. So far, I have not heard anybody specifically say that this part of the process is not provided for in the Constitution. I have not seen anyone. I have been listening to all the discussions, and not one single indication”
Hon. Mahama Ayariga, Majority Leader
According to Hon. Ayariga, despite the noise surrounding the process, the lack of any credible argument further proves that the current actions do not violate the Constitution.
He insisted that emotional commentary and speculative accusations were distorting the real issue.
Hon. Ayariga dismissed concerns about the Chief Justice’s legal representatives, citing them as distractions from the core constitutional question. He emphasized that the selection of counsel has no bearing on the legality or integrity of the proceedings.
“People are throwing innuendos. People are speculating. The people somebody decides to choose as lawyers are none of my business. Are you getting the situation? My business is whether or not the process is respected.”
Hon. Mahama Ayariga, Majority Leader
Public Hearings
The Majority Leader also took issue with calls from some quarters demanding that hearings regarding the Chief Justice’s removal be held in public. “Did the constitution say a transparent process? Did the constitution say a process in camera?”
He pointed out that the Constitution does not require such a process to be conducted transparently or in-camera, arguing that the focus should be on following the prescribed steps rather than reinterpreting them in hindsight.
He went further to challenge the suspended Chief Justice’s stance on the matter, questioning why such objections were not raised at the time of her appointment.
“If the constitution said a process in camera, when you were being vetted in this parliament and you were being appointed as the Chief Justice, why didn’t you say that I am accepting the job subject to me not accepting the procedure for removing me?”
Hon. Mahama Ayariga, Majority Leader
Hon. Ayariga explained that had the Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo made known her position on the removal process at the time of her appointment, the government would have taken it into advisement and not given her the office or rescinded her appointment to the Judiciary.
Hon. Ayariga argued that the authority of the Chief Justice’s position is inseparable from the constitutional mechanism that governs removal from the role. In his view, one cannot selectively embrace the benefits of the office while rejecting its accountability structures.
“It comes as a package. The constitution creates the office of chief justice, and the same constitution creates the procedure by which the chief justice should be removed. If you accept the office, you must accept the procedure by which you are going to be removed”
Hon. Mahama Ayariga, Majority Leader
He added that attempting to separate the two creates a dangerous precedent, undermining the rule of law and constitutional consistency.
“You cannot accept to enjoy the perks of the office of chief justice, and then when it comes to the procedure by which you will be removed, you say that you will not accept that one”
Hon. Mahama Ayariga, Majority Leader
President Justified
The Majority Leader was also quick to exonerate President John Dramani Mahama from any accusations of interference or impropriety in the unfolding matter.
“Sometimes, I don’t even understand where people are coming from. Please, let’s be clear when we are communicating to the public – the president has not engaged in one single wrongdoing in this whole process”
Hon. Mahama Ayariga, Majority Leader
According to Hon. Ayariga, some of the petitions that form part of the current proceedings were submitted during the previous government’s tenure, even before President Mahama assumed office in 2025. “Some of the petitions didn’t even arrive just now – and we’re aware.”
The Majority maintains that upholding the Constitution must remain the guiding principle, regardless of political pressure or personal sentiment.
READ MORE: Ghana’s Economic Recovery Gains Ground, But Reforms Must Deepen – Bank of Ghana Warns
