Former Deputy Attorney General Alfred Tuah-Yeboah has strongly condemned the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, describing it as an “unholy assault” on the independence of Ghana’s judiciary.
Speaking in an interview on Monday, September 1, Tuah-Yeboah expressed deep concern over the implications of the move, warning it sets a dangerous precedent for the future of judicial leadership in the country.
“I’m sad because this is an unholy assault on the independence of the judiciary,” he said. “It has far-reaching consequences. Any Chief Justice from now on must be worried about flimsy petitions being used as grounds for removal.”
Chief Justice Torkornoo was officially removed from office on September 1 by President John Dramani Mahama, following the recommendations of a committee established under Article 146 of the Constitution. The committee concluded that allegations of stated misbehaviour, brought by a private citizen, had been substantiated.
While government officials insist that the removal followed due constitutional process, Tuah-Yeboah believes the action was politically driven.
“I’m not surprised because this was a campaign promise fulfilled,” he claimed. “A political actor promised to remove the Chief Justice before the election, and after taking office, facilitated the process through others. That’s why I’m sad — but not surprised.”
