Accra: President John Dramani Mahama has removed Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo from office on the grounds of misconduct and stated misbehaviour. A letter signed by Callistus Mahama, Secretary to the President, confirmed the decision following a careful assessment of the petition against her, her response, and the advice of the council of state.

According to Ghana News Agency, the President, acting under Article 146 (6) and in consultation with the Council of State, constituted a five-member committee chaired by Justice Gabriel Scot Pwamang to investigate the petition against Justice Torkornoo. Chief Justice Torkornoo was suspended from office pending the inquiry, which concluded with a recommendation for her removal.

On September 1, 2025, the committee submitted its report to President Mahama, recommending the removal of Chief Justice Torkornoo. Under Article 146 (9) of the Constitution, the President is required to follow the committee’s recommendation. Consequently, a Warrant of Removal was issued, effecting her removal from office as Chief Justice and Justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana.

The committee found that Chief Justice Torkornoo’s travel expenses, which were charged to the Judicial Service during her holidays in September 2023 to Tanzania and the United States, constituted unlawful expenditure of public funds. The payment of per diem to her spouse and daughter was also deemed unjustifiable.

The committee concluded that these acts represented a reckless dissipation of public funds and were inconsistent with the responsibilities of the head of the Judiciary. Additionally, the committee found that she breached provisions in Article 296 (a) and (b) of the 1992 Constitution.

The letter from the President stated that Chief Justice Torkornoo’s actions amounted to misbehaviour, as she attempted to circumvent established nomination processes for appointing Supreme Court Justices, a process she had undergone herself. The committee’s findings led to the recommendation for her removal in accordance with Article 146 (7) and 9.5 of the Constitution.