Suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo has declared her resolve to remain in office and challenge the impeachment proceedings launched against her under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, rejecting any notion of resignation.
At a press briefing on Wednesday, June 25, Justice Torkornoo criticized the investigative process as biased and unjust, asserting that resigning now would wrongfully suggest guilt.
“I want to make it clear—I’m not attached to titles or positions. But with 38 years of legal practice, 21 years as a judge, and service as Chief Justice, I feel deeply responsible to speak out about the state of justice in our country.
What I have experienced in this process reveals a level of injustice I could never have imagined. That’s why, despite the personal toll, I’m committed to using every legal and leadership tool at my disposal to respond to these developments.”
She insisted that it is both inappropriate and legally prohibited for a judge to resign or retire while Article 146 proceedings are active.
“In fact, the law does not allow judges or public officers to resign or retire during such proceedings. There’s a Supreme Court ruling on this—Suit No. J6/02/2019.”
Justice Torkornoo cautioned that leaving the process midway would not only be illegal but also result in severe personal losses.
“If a person walks away from a State-initiated process, judgment could be passed in their absence. And a judge who resigns under such conditions would forfeit all their entitlements. This is why resignation is not a viable option.”
She further argued that succumbing to pressure or fear in the face of politically motivated claims would only lead to injustice and personal ruin.
“If a judge or public official resigns due to false, politically-driven accusations, they face two outcomes: a judgment based on lies and the loss of everything they’ve built.
There appears to be an attempt to wear me down so I resign, giving those behind this effort a chance to spin my exit as a silent admission of guilt.”
“As Chief Justice, tasked with upholding the integrity of our justice system, I cannot walk away. Resigning would mean accepting a flawed and secretive process. I do not.”
Justice Torkornoo has been on suspension since April 22, 2025, after President John Dramani Mahama, in consultation with the Council of State, determined there was a prima facie case against her based on several misconduct petitions.
A five-member panel was set up in accordance with Article 146(6) to probe the allegations, with all proceedings conducted privately as required by law.
Efforts by Justice Torkornoo to legally halt the impeachment process have failed, as the Supreme Court dismissed four different lawsuits and applications she filed, including one seeking an injunction.
