Former Deputy Attorney-General Joseph Kpemka has strongly criticized the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, warning that the decision could undermine Ghana’s democracy.
On Monday, September 1, 2025, President John Dramani Mahama invoked Article 146(9) of the 1992 Constitution to remove Chief Justice Torkornoo from office, following a recommendation from a committee formed under Article 146(6). This decision came after a petition filed by a private citizen, Mr. Daniel Ofori. The removal took immediate effect.
Reacting to the development, Kpemka expressed his concerns, stating that while the decision did not come as a surprise, he believed it was politically motivated. "I’m not surprised at all. Some of us saw this coming. From the beginning, it was clear that once the NDC regained power, the Chief Justice would be removed. And now, it has happened—carefully planned and executed,” Kpemka said.
He further warned that politically driven removals of key judicial figures could erode public trust in the judiciary, thereby destabilizing the country’s democratic institutions. “This is a serious blow to our democracy. If this becomes the norm, future governments could repeat this action, and we’ll be on a dangerous path,” he cautioned.
In light of the recent events, Kpemka called for constitutional reforms to protect the independence of the judiciary and prevent political manipulation of such processes in the future. “What has happened signals a turning point, and not a good one. If we don’t act to amend the Constitution, this could mark the beginning of the end for our democratic gains,” he added.
The removal of Chief Justice Torkornoo has sparked widespread debate about the role of political influence in the judiciary and its potential impact on Ghana's democratic integrity.
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Source: theghanareport
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