President John Mahama of Ghana has dismissed Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo with immediate effect, following the recommendation of a five-member committee that investigated allegations of misconduct and stated misbehaviour against her. The action was taken in accordance with Article 146(1) of the Ghanaian Constitution.

The committee was established after at least three separate petitions were submitted to the President, accusing the Chief Justice of abuse of office, including the alleged use of public funds for personal travel by her husband and daughter, attempts to influence judicial appointments, and breaches of procurement regulations.

Chief Justice Torkonoo had previously denied all allegations during a press conference on 25 June 2025, asserting that the committee had violated her rights during the investigation.

She also sought relief from both the Supreme Court and the High Court to halt the inquiry, but her applications, including challenges mounted by members of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), were dismissed. The courts affirmed that the President had acted within constitutional provisions.

The five-member panel, chaired by Supreme Court Justice Gabriel Pwamang, examined over 10,000 pages of documents and conducted in-camera hearings, calling a total of 25 witnesses, including testimony from the suspended Chief Justice herself.

Justice Pwamang noted, “We have reviewed all evidence against the Constitution and relevant laws and arrived at one recommendation without fear or favour on the first petition.” He added that further reports on the second and third petitions would be submitted in due course.

In 2024, Chief Justice Torkonoo survived a previous attempt at removal when a petition to the then-President Nana Akufo-Addo was dismissed, with the allegations deemed insufficient to justify her removal.

Reactions to her dismissal have highlighted concerns about judicial independence. Alfred Tuah-Yeboah, former Deputy Attorney-General, described the development as “a regrettable precedent with far-reaching consequences for the judiciary,” adding that “the fear is that future Chief Justices could be removed on minimal or frivolous grounds.”

Meanwhile, former Director of the Ghana School of Law, Kwaku Ansa-Asare, noted that the outcome was expected and praised the President for adhering to due process.

He commented, “From the outset, it was clear that the President followed the law; the committee investigated the case thoroughly and heard all sides. The Chief Justice’s own interventions, including the press conference, did not assist her position.”