GBA Calls for Reinstatement of Suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo
The umbrella legal body president is urging an end to the suspension, warning of harmful precedents and political interference.
Edem Latsu Nukafu 
The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has renewed its call for the reinstatement of suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo. The plea, made on June 28, coincided with a solemn memorial service marking the 42nd anniversary of the abduction and murder of three High Court judges and a retired army officer.
During the event, GBA President Efua Ghartey condemned the ongoing proceedings against Justice Torkornoo, urging the country to rise above a culture of "settling scores" and embrace the spirit of reconciliation.
■ A Plea for Judicial Independence
The GBA has been vocal in its opposition to the suspension of the Chief Justice, joining forces with international legal bodies such as the Commonwealth Lawyers Association and the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association to voice concerns over what they see as a politically charged attack on Ghana’s judiciary.
Addressing attendees, Ghartey emphasized the importance of transparency and fairness in any disciplinary action against a Superior Court judge. “Any judge, especially at the level of the Chief Justice, deserves to be fully informed about the entire process before facing any action,” she said. “Defending the judiciary’s independence is not a matter of personality—it is our sacred duty.”
■ A Nation Divided?
The GBA’s renewed call for Torkornoo’s reinstatement comes on the heels of a public statement from the Chief Justice herself, who denounced the suspension as an orchestrated siege against the judiciary. She warned of the broader implications of what she called politically motivated attacks on Ghana's legal institutions.
Mrs. Ghartey echoed these sentiments, calling on the nation to honour the memories of the judicial martyrs of 1982 by choosing unity over division. “Let us resolve as a nation to rise above petty politics, and humbly walk away from settling scores endlessly,” she urged, “for we are one nation with one destiny.”
■ Precedents and Warnings
Ghartey also cautioned that the suspension of Justice Torkornoo sets a "poor precedent" that could have far-reaching consequences for Ghana’s legal system. The GBA President expressed confidence that their calls would not go unheeded, stressing the association's unwavering commitment to ensuring that justice and peace prevail.
“We yearn for peace and strive for justice,” she concluded, signalling the GBA’s hope for a swift resolution that would safeguard the integrity of the judiciary and the rule of law in Ghana.
■ The Suspended Chief Justice
Justice Torkornoo, who was suspended in April 2025 amid petitions for her removal, has become a central figure in the nation’s ongoing debate over judicial independence and political interference. As public outcry over her suspension grows, many are watching closely to see if the GBA’s calls will lead to her reinstatement or if this matter will further deepen political divisions in the country.
