Kwaku Ansah-Asare Urges Mahama to Retire Suspended CJ Torkornoo Gracefully

Veteran legal practitioner and former Director of the Ghana School of Law, Kwaku Ansah-Asare, has urged President John Dramani Mahama to bring an end to the ongoing impeachment proceedings against suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, calling instead for a dignified retirement process.

Speaking on TV3’s KeyPoints, Ansah-Asare said the prolonged nature of the probe—triggered by three petitions—was doing more harm than good to both the Chief Justice and Ghana’s international reputation.

“This entire process is draining the Chief Justice and is not helping the nation,” he said. “I appeal to the President to exercise compassion by invoking Article 146(11) to end her suspension and initiate steps for her to retire honorably.”

■ “The World is Watching – She’s Still Our CJ”

Ansah-Asare warned that Ghana’s judicial integrity and global standing are being affected by the very public and controversial nature of the ongoing proceedings.

“Let’s not forget—she remains the sitting Chief Justice in the eyes of the world. This saga is not painting us in a good light,” he added.

■ CJ Must Apologize for Press Conference “Attack”

The legal luminary also took issue with Justice Torkornoo’s June 25 press conference, where she questioned the legitimacy of the process, criticized the President’s actions, and decried the in-camera nature of the hearings.

Ansah-Asare labeled the press engagement as inappropriate and disrespectful, urging the Chief Justice to issue a public apology to President Mahama and the nation.

“She should never have held that press conference. It disrespected the President and undermined the very Constitution she swore to uphold,” he stated. “She knows Article 146 ties the President’s hands. What choice did he have after receiving the petitions?”

■ CJ Questions Constitutionality of Her Own Suspension

In her explosive public address, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo alleged that her suspension was part of a politically motivated effort to remove her from office. She raised concerns about due process violations, the secrecy of the proceedings, and the absence of transparency.

The Chief Justice revealed that she had filed a case at the Supreme Court demanding a public hearing of the case against her, citing accountability and fairness.

“Shielding this process from the public view erodes trust in the judiciary,” she argued. “Every step taken so far has broken the rules of how justice should be served.”

■ Background: Petitions, Suspension, and the Committee

President Mahama, in accordance with Article 146 of the Constitution, acted upon three petitions seeking the Chief Justice’s removal. After consultations with the Council of State, a five-member committee was established to investigate the claims. This led to her suspension pending the outcome of the inquiry.

While the committee continues its work behind closed doors, the public debate surrounding the process grows louder—with mounting calls for either a transparent hearing or an amicable resolution that respects both constitutional order and human dignity.