GBA’s position on CJ Torkornoo’s suspension disappointing, appalling – Prof Khalid

Economic Advisor to the Vice President, Prof Sharif Khalid Mahmud, has criticised the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) over its position on the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, calling it “disappointing and appalling.”

The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has called for the immediate revocation of the suspension of the Chief Justice describing the action as unconstitutional and lacking a legal basis under Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.

Commenting on the issue on Channel One TV’s The Big Issue on Saturday, May 3, Prof Khalid expressed dismay at what he sees as the GBA’s declining influence in upholding democratic principles and legal integrity.

He reflected on the association’s historical significance, noting that during Ghana’s struggles for independence, constitutional rule, and democracy, the GBA was considered one of the country’s most critical institutions—alongside the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) and the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS).

“To such an extent that people, fair-minded people, even thought that the GBA was a constitutional arm of government,” Prof Khalid remarked.

He added: “That is how powerful they were. That is how critical they were. That is how their voice of reasoning was in the minds of Ghanaians.”

However, he lamented that the association’s current stance on Chief Justice Torkornoo’s suspension lacked the assertiveness and integrity expected of such a distinguished body.

He likened the GBA’s response to “vanilla of hot air,” questioning its consistency in addressing legal matters.

Prof Khalid further compared the situation to past controversies, particularly referencing the removal of former Electoral Commission Chairperson Charlotte Osei.

He suggested that the GBA had shown bias by remaining silent on Osei’s case while taking a more pronounced position on the current matter.

“When the issue of Charlotte Osei occurred, did we hear a cough from the biased GBA?” he questioned, implying discrepancies in the association’s actions.