The Minority in Parliament has vowed to resist the removal of Chief Justice Mrs. Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkonoo, warning that the process lacked transparency and set a dangerous precedent for Ghana’s judiciary.
President Mahama, on September 1, 2025, officially removed the Chief Justice from office following the recommendation of a Committee of Inquiry set up under Article 146(6) of the 1992 Constitution.
Speaking on behalf of the Minority on Tuesday, October 21, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin said, “Mr. Speaker, the minority registers its unequivocal objection to the removal of the Chief Justice, Mrs. Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkonoo.”
He added, “We believe the process lacked transparency, violated constitutional principles, and set a dangerous precedent for judicial interference.”
Afenyo-Markin questioned the handling of the Pwamang Committee report, saying, “Three separate petitions were referred to the Pwamang Committee. The committee only heard one petition, then adjourned proceedings for continuation on the 15th of September, yet, without notice to any party in the matter, the committee suddenly submitted its report on the 1st of September, and within two hours an announcement was made of her removal.”
He also criticised the suspension process, stating, “Even more troubling was the warrant of the suspension. It claimed to have made a prima facie determination, but to date, no one has seen such a document, and this raises serious constitutional questions.”
Demanding transparency, Afenyo-Markin said, “The so-called Pwamang report remains a secret document. We, the minority, shall not relent on our demand for a copy and full disclosure of this report.”
He warned of the wider consequences, adding, “Mr. Speaker, this matter goes beyond one individual. If this false and irregular process succeeds, it endangers every independent constitutional body: the Auditor General, the Electoral Commission, the National Commission for Civic Education, and even the Public Services Commission could be targeted. This will destroy the safeguards of accountability and erase the principle of probity from our governance.”
On the impact on future elections, he said, “If judicial independence can be manipulated in this manner, we should not expect free or credible elections in future.”
He emphasised the importance of the judiciary, saying, “Mr. Speaker, the judiciary is the last line of defense for our democracy, and any act that undermines its independence strikes at the heart of our constitutional order. The minority will resist any attempt to compromise the sanctity of the judiciary. Ghana’s institutions must be protected from political manipulation, and we will not sit idly by whilst dangerous precedents are set.
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