In a dramatic turn of events, Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama has ordered Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo to respond to three petitions calling for her removal from office within 10 days.
The petitions, which have sent shockwaves through Ghana’s legal and political circles, question Chief Justice Torkonoo’s conduct and suitability to continue in her role. The exact nature of the allegations remains unclear, but they are believed to relate to her administrative decisions.
In a letter to Chief Justice Torkonoo, President Mahama expressed disappointment that her request for copies of the petitions was leaked to social media.
“His Excellency, however, notes with disappointment that your letter of 27th March 2025 addressed to him was circulating on social media even before he could review its contents,” the letter read.
The letter continued, “The letter was reportedly shared as an attachment to another letter you wrote to the President of the Supreme Court, the President of the Association of Magistrates and Judges and the President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA).”
Chief Justice Torkonoo must now provide a preliminary response to the petitions within the given timeframe. “Accordingly, you are respectfully requested to submit your preliminary response to the petitions within ten (10) days of receipt of this letter to facilitate further consultation between His Excellency and the Council of State,” the letter stated.
The outcome of this development remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: Chief Justice Torkonoo’s future hangs in the balance. Will she be able to respond adequately to the petitions and save her job, or will she become the latest casualty of Ghana’s ongoing efforts to root out corruption and misconduct in high places? Only time will tell.