Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has dismissed Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkonoo after a special investigative commission found her guilty of abuse of office and recommended her removal.
The announcement, made in a presidency statement on Monday, September 1, marks the first time in Ghana’s history that a sitting chief justice has been investigated and dismissed while in office.
Torkonoo, 61, who became the country’s third female Chief Justice when she assumed office in 2023, was accused of falsifying judicial records and misusing public funds.
The allegations prompted widespread public concern and ultimately led President Mahama to constitute a five-member commission chaired by another Supreme Court judge.
After weeks of hearings, the commission concluded that the allegations were substantiated.
“The grounds for the alleged acts had been established and recommended her removal from office,” the presidency confirmed in its statement.
Mahama’s Anti-Corruption Drive
President Mahama, who took office in January 2025, has repeatedly vowed to confront corruption at all levels of government.
The dismissal of Chief Justice Torkonoo is being viewed as a bold step in that direction.
“President John Dramani Mahama has… removed the Chief Justice from office with immediate effect,” the statement read, underscoring his administration’s zero-tolerance approach to misconduct among senior officials.
Although the presidency did not specify whether Torkonoo will face criminal charges, legal experts in Accra say further investigations could open the door to prosecution.
A Historic First for Ghana’s Judiciary
The removal of the chief justice is unprecedented in Ghana, where the judiciary is seen as one of the country’s most powerful institutions.
The episode is expected to spark intense debate about judicial accountability, political interference, and the separation of powers.
Torkonoo’s suspension and subsequent removal may also shake public confidence in the judiciary, which has long faced criticism over allegations of corruption and inefficiency.
Civil society groups have welcomed Mahama’s decision, calling it a necessary measure to restore integrity within the justice system. However, critics caution that the president must ensure due process to avoid perceptions of political vendetta.
As Mahama continues his anti-corruption crusade, observers say the case could set a precedent for holding even the most senior officials accountable in Ghana.
The spotlight will now shift to whether prosecutors decide to pursue criminal charges against the disgraced chief justice.
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