A citizen of Ghana, Professor Stephen Kweku Asare has submitted a petition dated December 16, 2024 to President Akuffo-Addo to remove the current Chief Justice of Ghana, Her Ladyship Gertrude Sackey Torkonoo, on grounds of stated misbehaviour and incompetence.
He mentioned that the petition was based on Article 146(1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana and that the incompetence and stated misbehaviour are in relation to the Chief Justice’s administrative functions as the head of judiciary responsible for the supervision and administration of the judicial branch of the government.
The professor in his petition mentioned, “My petition does not arise from the chief Justice’s exercise of her judicial functions. Accordingly, the petition does not challenge any decisions, orders or directives issued by the Chief Justice in the performance of her duties as a Justice of the Supreme Court, including those made to enforce judgements, decrees or orders in cases she has adjudicated”. He also based his petition on an alleged abuse of office and arbitrary reconstitution of judiciary panel and transfer of judges.
In a letter dated 30th May, 2024, the Chief Justice wrote a letter to the President Akuffo-Addo, requesting for the appointment of five judges of the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court. There were sparks of conversations and discussions on the constitutionality of the Chief Justice’s request.
According to the petition by Professor Asare, there were also reported incidences of the Chief Justice’s direct interference with constituted panels for hearing cases. Following a number of discussions and debates, this is the first petition to the president of Ghana, calling for the removal of the Chief Justice. Many conversations and discussions regarding the petition continue to come up as Ghanaians await action from the president’s office regarding this petition.
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