- President Mahama consults Council on Torkornoo’s removal
- Petitions forwarded to the Council for review under Article 146
- Akufo-Addo previously dismissed a similar petition as meritless
President John Dramani Mahama has initiated consultations with the Council of State regarding three petitions calling for the removal of the country’s third female Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo.
A statement from the Minister of State for Government Communication, released on March 25, noted that these petitions have been forwarded to the Council for review and advice, in line with Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution.
This is not the first time efforts have been made to remove Chief Justice Torkornoo, who was sworn in on June 12, 2023, by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, following the retirement of her predecessor, Justice Anin Yeboah.
The initial petition was filed by lawyer and Professor of Accounting, Stephen Kwaku Asare (also known as Kweku Azar), who raised allegations of misconduct and incompetence against the Chief Justice.
However, on January 6, 2025, former President Akufo-Addo dismissed the petition as frivolous, vexatious, and without merit. In his statement, he said, “The President, in consultation with the Council of State, has concluded that the petition does not present a prima facie case warranting further action.” This statement was issued shortly before he left office.
