By Alex Ababio
National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has rejected suggestions that the government is planning to permanently remove suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo from office.
Addressing the issue on Channel One TV on Tuesday, August 26, he clarified that the executive has taken no action beyond what is constitutionally required.
“The executive has done nothing about the removal of the Chief Justice,”
— Mr. Nketiah stated.
“If anything at all, the executive is only upholding the constitution. So, to my mind, the government has not acted in any way to remove her.”
Judiciary Not Under Siege, Says Nketiah
His comments come amid ongoing public debate over alleged friction between the executive and the judiciary. Critics have accused the government of undermining judicial independence.
But Mr. Nketiah dismissed such claims, insisting that what is taking place is reform, not an attack.
“The judiciary is not under attack. What is happening is reform. If there is a problem with the judiciary, then the judiciary must be reformed to carry out its constitutional duties,”
— he explained.
According to him, institutional reform is a necessary step to strengthen Ghana’s democracy and ensure that all branches of government remain within their constitutional limits.
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Background to the Suspension
Chief Justice Torkornoo was suspended on April 22, 2025, by President John Dramani Mahama after three petitions accusing her of misconduct and incompetence were deemed to have established a prima facie case.
Following the suspension, the President constituted a five-member inquiry panel chaired by Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang to investigate the allegations. In the interim, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, the most senior Supreme Court judge, was appointed as Acting Chief Justice.
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Public Reaction and Controversy
The suspension has sparked sharp criticism across Ghana’s legal and political landscape.
The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) described the action as unconstitutional, arguing that the President failed to publish the required constitutional instrument under Article 296.
The Centre for Democratic Movement (CDM) condemned the move, citing alleged political bias in the composition of the inquiry committee.
Chief Justice Torkornoo herself has refused to step down, branding the suspension as “arbitrary” and “cruel.”
The opposition NPP also warned that the decision could endanger Ghana’s democratic principles.
Looking Ahead
As the inquiry proceeds, the issue continues to divide opinion, with critics raising constitutional concerns while government officials insist due process is being followed.
Mr. Asiedu Nketiah maintains that the government is respecting the constitution and that the process should not be misinterpreted as an attempt to undermine judicial independence.