Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama has dismissed Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo after a special committee found her guilty of “misbehaviour.”
The presidency confirmed the move on Monday, making Torkornoo—only the third woman to hold the position—the first sitting chief justice in Ghana’s history to be investigated and removed from office.
The five-member panel, set up under Article 146 of the Constitution, upheld multiple petitions accusing her of falsifying judicial records and misusing public funds. It recommended her immediate removal, which Mahama swiftly endorsed.
Torkornoo, 61, who assumed the role in 2023, has branded the allegations baseless and politically motivated. Her suspension earlier this year paved the way for the inquiry.
The unprecedented dismissal has ignited debate over the independence of Ghana’s judiciary, with critics warning of executive overreach while supporters hail it as a bold anti-corruption step.
It remains unclear whether Torkornoo will face criminal prosecution.
