Prof. Stephen Kwaku Asare, a prominent Ghanaian citizen, has petitioned President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to initiate the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo. The petition, dated December 17, alleges misconduct and incompetence in her administrative duties as head of the judiciary.
Citing Article 146 (1) of the 1992 Constitution, Prof. Asare’s petition claims the Chief Justice’s actions undermine constitutional governance. He emphasised that his grievances do not pertain to her judicial rulings but specifically target her administrative role under Article 125 (4) of the Constitution.
The petitioner accused the Chief Justice of orchestrating an elaborate scheme to influence judicial appointments. He alleged that she preselects judges, requests presidential nominations, and subsequently submits the same names to the Judicial Council for approval, reducing these constitutional bodies to mere formalities.
Additionally, Prof. Asare highlighted instances where the Chief Justice allegedly reconstituted judicial panels without providing explanations, a move he described as a breach of impartiality and independence. “The reconstitution of panels exceeds her administrative powers and directly interferes with the independence of duly constituted judicial panels,” he argued.
The petition indicates that members of the Judicial Council may be called upon to testify during the review process.
This development raises significant questions about transparency and accountability within Ghana’s judiciary, casting a spotlight on the delicate balance of power within the nation’s legal framework.