PMMC Acting Director accuses Suspended Chief Justice of misusing State funds for family trip

The Acting Managing Director of the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC) has leveled serious accusations against the suspended Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Sackey Torkornoo. She is alleged to have spent a significant amount of public funds on a private trip abroad with her family.

According to Sammy Gyamfi, the National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Justice Torkornoo reportedly used nearly GH¢260,000 on business class airline tickets and disbursed approximately $30,000 in per diem allowances for her husband and two daughters during the trip.

Speaking on Asempa FM on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, Gyamfi emphasized that government travel policies for senior officials only permit the Chief Justice to travel with one person—typically a bodyguard—on private trips. Any additional individuals, he stated, must be funded personally.

“If the Chief Justice is embarking on a private trip, the policy is clear—only one person, usually a security officer, can be covered by the state. Any extra passengers must be paid for from her own pocket,” Gyamfi asserted.

He alleged that Justice Torkornoo disregarded this policy by using public funds to fly her family in business class, despite earning a salary sufficient to cover such costs personally. Furthermore, he claimed that nearly $30,000 in per diem allowances were distributed to her family members—again from public coffers.

“This is unacceptable,” Gyamfi said. “She used the hard-earned taxes of struggling Ghanaians to fund a luxurious private trip—not even in economy, but business class. And on top of that, she handed out dollar allowances to her family. This is why the Council of State is unanimously demanding a full investigation.”

Gyamfi also revealed that in her response to a petition calling for her dismissal, Justice Torkornoo defended her actions by claiming the trip was conducted under her official travel entitlements—a justification he dismissed as baseless.

“How can anyone defend using taxpayer money for a private family vacation under the pretext of official travel?” he questioned.

On April 22, 2025, President John Dramani Mahama officially suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, pending the outcome of a formal investigation into the allegations.

A statement signed by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the President’s spokesperson and Minister of Government Communications, confirmed that a prima facie case had been established following three petitions lodged against the Chief Justice. The decision was made in accordance with Article 146(6) of the Constitution, following consultation with the Council of State.

In response, President Mahama has appointed a five-member committee, also in line with constitutional provisions, to investigate the matter. The committee comprises the following members:

• Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, Supreme Court Justice (Chairman)

• Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu-Asiedu, Supreme Court Justice (Member)

• Daniel Yaw Domelevo, Former Auditor-General (Member)

• Major Flora Bazwaanura Dalugo, Ghana Armed Forces (Member)

• Professor James Sefah Dzisah, Associate Professor, University of Ghana (Member)