Ghana's president removes country's chief justice after investigation

Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has dismissed Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo with immediate effect, following the outcome of an investigation into alleged misconduct, the presidency announced on Monday.

A statement from Mahama’s office said the decision was based on the findings of a special committee that recommended her removal after concluding there were sufficient grounds of “misbehaviour.”

Torkornoo, Ghana’s third female chief justice, had been suspended earlier this year after Mahama ordered a formal inquiry into her conduct. The committee, set up under constitutional provisions, reviewed the allegations and submitted its report to the president last week.

While the details of the report have not been made public, the presidency said the panel’s conclusions were binding, and Mahama acted in line with its recommendations.

Torkornoo has strongly denied any wrongdoing, dismissing the claims as baseless and politically motivated. In public remarks earlier this year, she said she remained committed to upholding the independence of the judiciary and protecting Ghana’s constitutional order.

Her removal marks a significant development in Ghana’s legal and political landscape. The chief justice, as head of the judiciary, plays a crucial role in overseeing the Supreme Court, supervising the judicial service, and safeguarding the rule of law in the West African nation.

Legal experts say Mahama’s decision could provoke debate over judicial independence at a time when Ghana is facing political, economic, and social pressures. The government is expected to announce a new acting chief justice in the coming days until a permanent successor is confirmed.

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