Gov’t Not Behind Chief Justice’s Removal – Asiedu Nketiah Clarifies

National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has rejected claims that the government is plotting to oust suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.

Speaking on Channel One TV’s Face to Face on Tuesday, August 26, he insisted the executive has taken no steps to remove her from office, stressing that its role has been limited to fulfilling constitutional obligations.

“The executive has done nothing about removing the Chief Justice,” he said. “What has happened so far falls strictly within constitutional procedures, not political interference.”

Mr. Nketiah dismissed suggestions that the judiciary is under siege, arguing instead that ongoing processes are part of necessary reforms to strengthen state institutions.

His remarks come amid heated debate over judicial independence, following President John Dramani Mahama’s suspension of Chief Justice Torkornoo on April 22, 2025, after a prima facie case of alleged misconduct and incompetence was established.

A five-member committee, chaired by Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, is currently probing the petitions. In the meantime, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has assumed the role of Acting Chief Justice.

The suspension has sharply divided opinion, with the Ghana Bar Association, the Centre for Democratic Movement, and the opposition NPP all condemning the move as unconstitutional and politically motivated. Chief Justice Torkornoo herself has described the process as “arbitrary” and vowed not to resign.