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National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah has dismissed claims that the government is working to remove suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo from office.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Face to Face program on Tuesday, August 26, Mr. Nketiah insisted that the executive has taken no steps aimed at ousting the Chief Justice, stressing that its focus remains on fulfilling constitutional obligations.
“The executive has done nothing about the removal of the Chief Justice,” he said. “If anything at all, the executive is undertaking its responsibilities as far as upholding the constitution is concerned. To my mind, the executive has not done anything by itself to try and remove the Chief Justice.”
His comments follow growing public debate over perceived tensions between the judiciary and other arms of government. Some critics have argued that recent political actions amount to an attack on judicial independence, a view Mr. Nketiah strongly rejected.
“Judiciary is not under attack. There is a reform of state institutions,” he explained. “So if there is a problem with the judiciary, the judiciary has to be reformed to undertake its constitutional duties.”
Mr. Nketiah emphasized that reforms are necessary to strengthen democratic institutions, ensuring each arm of government operates effectively within its constitutional mandate.
Background
Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo was suspended on April 22, 2025, by President John Dramani Mahama following the establishment of a prima facie case based on three petitions alleging misconduct and incompetence.
Under Article 146(6) of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, the president, in consultation with the Council of State, may suspend a Supreme Court Justice if a prima facie case is established, pending a formal investigation. A five-member inquiry panel chaired by Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang was subsequently set up, with other members including Justice Samuel Adibu-Asiedu, former Auditor-General Daniel Yaw Domelevo, Major Flora Bazaanura Dalugo, and Professor James Sefah-Dzisah.
Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, the most senior Supreme Court judge, was appointed Acting Chief Justice during the investigation.
The suspension sparked strong reactions across Ghana’s legal and political circles. The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) described it as unconstitutional, arguing that the president failed to publish a Constitutional Instrument to justify his decision, as required under Article 296. Civil society group Centre for Democratic Movement (CDM) also condemned the move, citing concerns about transparency and political influence in the committee’s composition.
Chief Justice Torkornoo has defended herself, describing the suspension as “arbitrary” and “cruel.” She has vowed not to resign, maintaining her right to contest the proceedings, which she believes are unconstitutional.
The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has echoed these concerns, warning that the suspension undermines judicial independence and poses risks to Ghana’s democracy.
