National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has strongly refuted claims that the government is maneuvering to remove suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo from office.
Speaking during an interview on Channel One TV on Tuesday, August 26, Mr. Nketiah dismissed the allegations as unfounded, asserting that the executive is merely fulfilling its constitutional obligations.
“The executive has done nothing about the removal of the Chief Justice,” he said. “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.”
His comments come amid growing public concern over perceived tensions between the judiciary and the executive, with critics warning of a potential threat to judicial independence.
Mr. Nketiah, however, rejected such assertions, describing the current developments as part of a necessary institutional overhaul.
“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.
He emphasized that reform is essential to strengthening democratic governance, and urged all branches of government to operate within their constitutional limits.
On April 22, 2025, President John Dramani Mahama suspended Chief Justice Torkornoo, following the establishment of a prima facie case based on three petitions alleging misconduct and incompetence.
A five-member committee chaired by Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang was subsequently set up to investigate the matter. Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, the most senior judge on the Supreme Court, was appointed Acting Chief Justice.
The suspension has sparked widespread backlash. The Ghana Bar Association condemned the move, citing constitutional breaches, while the Centre for Democratic Movement (CDM) criticized the composition of the inquiry panel as politically skewed.
Chief Justice Torkornoo has refused to step down, describing the process as “arbitrary” and “cruel.” The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has also voiced concern, warning that the suspension undermines Ghana’s democratic institutions.
As the inquiry continues, the nation watches closely, with many calling for transparency and adherence to constitutional procedures.
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