GBA criticizes overpoliticization of processes to remove Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo

The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has condemned what it calls the overpoliticization of the processes to remove the Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkonoo.

The comment follows a statement issued earlier today, 23 April, 2025 by the Association, in which it demanded fairness and a strict adherence to the rule of law in this entire process.

“while the GBA recognises the constitutional prescriptions for the removal of the Chief Justice under  article 146 (6) to (10) of the constitution, and mindful of the fact that presently the entire matter is sub judice, it is the hope and belief of the GBA that the actors involved in the whole process would have the time tested tenets of the Rule of Law as their guiding principles…”

The reaction follows the suspension of the Chief Justice by President John Mahama after the Counsel of State said that it had found a prima facie case in the earlier three petitions presented to members for her removal.

So far, the petitions against Madam Torkotoo are five, after two more were presented. President Mahama has already set up a five-member committee to probe the matter and recommend the way forward. The five-member committee includes former Auditor-General Daniel Domelevo and chaired by Supreme Court justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang.

In an interview with Beatrice Adu on the Midday News on 3fm, the Public Relations Officer of the GJA, Saviour Kudze said the issue is now being politicised.

“We think that it is now rather being handled as a political issue rather than a legal issue. The two major political parties have taken it upon themselves as if the issue being dealt with is a political matter other than a legal matter. Everybody should be calm. We should be restrained and wait for the outcome”.

When asked about whether the GBA was not feigning ignorance of this issue being as political as much as a legal case, Mr. Kudze said that social media commentary should not be taken as official statement. “You, see I am speaking as a lawyer. The fact that there might be snippets of sections of the petition in the public domain on social media, doesn’t mean that it’s official. Yes, people may think that it is political, but does that warrant the kind of commentary and conclusions that we are drawing while the process is still ongoing?”

Mr. Kudze also rejected claims that the Bar Association has come in late with its’ statement.

‘I don’t think that it’s( GBA’s response) late. We came in at this time for a purpose, because we have observed that instead of us allowing the process to go through, political actors have taken it upon themselves to be making all kinds of commentary…we should allow the process to go through’

Meanwhile, the MP for Old Tafo Vincent Assafuah has also filed an interlocutory injunction at the Supreme Court against the process.

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