A resurfaced video of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has ignited renewed conversation as petitions calling for her removal from office gain momentum.
Originally recorded during a Women’s Leadership Conference, the footage was later shared by the Ghana News Agency and shows Justice Torkornoo firmly defending her judicial conduct. She emphasized that every decision she has made—both as Chief Justice and as a Supreme Court panel president—has been rooted in legal expertise and guided solely by the law.
Reflecting on recent criticisms, she remarked, “People have told me I’ve held up well under pressure, and I’ve come to realize that what sustains me is confidence in my competence. None of my decisions stem from anything other than a thorough understanding of the law.”
Her remarks come at a time when President John Dramani Mahama has received three petitions seeking her dismissal. In response, and in accordance with Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, the president has forwarded the petitions to the Council of State for consultation.
According to a statement from presidential spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the president remains committed to handling the matter within constitutional boundaries.
Justice Torkornoo has previously faced similar challenges. A petition filed by legal academic Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare accused her of constitutional and administrative violations, claiming her conduct harmed the judiciary’s reputation.
Nevertheless, she continues to assert her stance, insisting that the judiciary must remain loyal to the law and not succumb to public opinion. “Regardless of how much noise is made, the law remains the law. The only appropriate response to all the uproar is a legal one,” she said.
As the Council of State reviews the petitions, the future of her tenure as Chief Justice remains uncertain.
