Gertrude Torkornoo and President John Mahama
The People’s National Party (PNP) has criticised President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to direct petitions for the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo to the Council of State.
According to the PNP, this move undermines judicial independence and sets a dangerous precedent, as past administrations have worked with Chief Justices despite political differences.
In a statement issued by PNP Chairperson and Leader Janet Asana Nabla, the party described Mahama’s actions as a betrayal of women’s empowerment.
“This action is yet another betrayal of the very women President Mahama promised to empower. His pledge to implement the Affirmative Action Law and ensure 30% representation of women in his government has been abandoned. Instead of delivering on this promise, he is actively seeking ways to remove those who were already there before his tenure.
“Since assuming office, instead of focusing on delivering his manifesto promises to improve the lives of Ghanaians, President Mahama has been fixated on the Chief Justice and the Electoral Commissioner. His actions suggest that his priority is not governance but manipulating the system to secure victory in the 2028 elections or, worse, to set the stage for his own return after exhausting his two-term limit,” the statement read.
The PNP further emphasised that women in leadership have worked tirelessly to earn their positions, and any attempt to remove them for political reasons is both partisan and self-serving. The party called on Ghanaians to rise against such actions, warning that history would remember Mahama as the only president who attempted to remove a Chief Justice to appease his party.
As part of its governance agenda, the PNP pledged to reduce the excessive powers of the presidency within its first month in office. The party committed to implementing constitutional reforms proposed by credible institutions such as the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) rather than forming partisan committees that would delay the process.
“The PNP remains committed to a governance system that is transparent, inclusive, and fair. We urge all Ghanaians to reject any attempts by the NDC Mahama administration to undermine democracy and women’s progress in leadership for their partisan interests.”
Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has expressed disappointment with Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo following the widespread circulation of a letter addressed to him, in which she requested copies of the petition seeking her removal.
The president stated that the contents of the letter went viral on social media before he had the chance to open and review it.
He noted that this development has raised concerns about whether the letter, which was meant to be restricted, remained so as intended.
In a letter dated March 28, 2025, to Chief Justice Torkornoo, the Secretary to the President, Dr. Callistus Mahama, wrote:
“His Excellency, however, notes with disappointment that your letter of March 27, 2025, addressed to him, was circulating on social media even before he could review its contents. The letter was reportedly shared as an attachment to another letter you wrote to the president of the Supreme Court, the president of the Association of Magistrates and Judges, and the president of the Ghana Bar Association. Therefore, we are constrained to mark each page of the attachments to this letter ‘restricted’.”
Regarding the petition, the president has directed Chief Justice Torkornoo to submit her preliminary response within 10 days of receiving the letter.
He assured, however, that the matter would be handled in accordance with due process, ensuring that Torkornoo receives a fair hearing.
“Finally, His Excellency wishes to assure you that due process will be followed in handling this matter and that you will be given a full and fair opportunity to be heard.
“Accordingly, you are respectfully requested to submit your preliminary response to the petitions within ten (10) days of receipt of this letter to facilitate further consultation between His Excellency and the Council of State,”* the letter added.
This latest development follows Chief Justice Torkornoo’s formal request for copies of the petitions submitted to President John Dramani Mahama, seeking her removal from office.
In a letter to the president on Thursday, March 27, 2025, she requested access to the documents to enable her to respond accordingly.
“I am by this letter humbly and respectfully asking His Excellency the President and eminent members of the Council of State to forward the petitions against me to me, and allow me at least seven days after receipt of the same to provide my response to you, which response can then form part of the material that you conduct the consultations anticipated under 146 (6), before the possible setting up of a Committee of Inquiry under Article 146 (7),” she stated.
AM/SEA
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