Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has submitted her official response to the petitions seeking her removal from office as of Monday, April 7, 2025.
According to a report by 3news.com, Justice Torkornoo submitted her response to President John Dramani Mahama and the Council of State before the expiration of a 10-day deadline given by President Mahama after the petitions were filed.
The report noted that with her official response now submitted, the Council of State will begin the review process to determine whether a prima facie case exists to warrant further proceedings.
President Mahama had given Justice Torkornoo 10 working days to respond to the three separate petitions seeking her removal.
In a letter addressed to President Mahama on March 27, 2025, Justice Torkornoo requested copies of the petitions and asked for at least seven days to respond, in line with due process requirements.
Background
On March 25, 2025, President Mahama began consultations with the Council of State following the submission of three petitions seeking the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo.
According to a statement from the Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the three petitions were forwarded to the Council of State in accordance with the constitutional procedure outlined in Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution.
While the details of the petitions remain undisclosed, the development marks the beginning of a formal process that could potentially lead to significant changes within Ghana’s judicial system.
