President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in one of his final official acts as President of the Republic, has dismissed a petition seeking the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo.
The petition, filed by constitutional scholar Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare, cited allegations of misbehaviour and incompetence against the Chief Justice.
In a statement released by the Office of the President, Communications Director Eugene Arhin announced that the petition had been subjected to a thorough review in consultation with the Council of State.
“The Office of the President wishes to inform the general public that, after a thorough and careful review of the petition for the removal of the Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in consultation with the Council of State, has concluded that the petition does not disclose a prima facie case warranting further action.”
Eugene Arhin, Director of Communications Office of the President
The President outlined several deficiencies in the petition that led to its dismissal with the statement noting that the petition failed to provide supporting evidence or credible documentation to substantiate its claims.
Allegations of panel reconstitution, issuance of practice directions, and supposed constitutional breaches by the Chief Justice were described as unsupported and lacking factual basis.
Again, the statement pointed out that the review found that the processes and practices cited in the petition, including the Chief Justice’s administrative responsibilities under the Courts Act, were in line with legal and institutional norms.
“The President feels constrained to observe that, contrary to constitutional provisions, the petition was prematurely circulated in the public domain, in breach of Article 146(8) of the Constitution, which mandates that proceedings of this nature be held in camera to protect the integrity of the Judiciary”.
Eugene Arhin, Director of Communications Office of the President
The President noted that such premature disclosure, particularly by a lawyer, undermines the solemnity of the constitutional process.
President’s Position on Judicial Independence
Labeling the petition as “frivolous, vexatious, and unmeritorious,” the President reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to safeguarding the independence and integrity of Ghana’s judiciary.
He emphasised the judiciary’s pivotal role as a cornerstone of democracy and cautioned against attempts to undermine judicial independence through baseless allegations.
The statement further underscored the importance of adhering to constitutional provisions when addressing grievances, urging individuals to respect the principles designed to protect the sanctity of judicial proceedings.
The announcement comes just hours before the conclusion of President Akufo-Addo’s tenure, signalling his commitment to ensuring constitutional and judicial matters are handled with urgency and decisiveness, even in the final moments of his administration.
The petition by Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare had generated significant public interest, with debates centred on the allegations against the Chief Justice and the broader implications for judicial accountability.
The President’s decision, supported by the Council of State, effectively brings the matter to a close, reinforcing the standards required for such petitions to proceed.
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