Gov’t Cites Constitutional Restrictions in Withholding Reasons for CJ Torkornoo’s Removal – Kwakye Ofosu

The Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, says the government is legally barred from disclosing the reasons behind the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.

Speaking in a media interview on Monday, September 1, following the official announcement of her dismissal by President John Dramani Mahama, Mr. Ofosu explained that Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution prohibits the disclosure of proceedings of the committee that investigated the petition against the Chief Justice.

“The committee recommended the removal of the CJ. Because as you are fully aware, Article 146 does not permit disclosure of the proceedings of the committee,” Mr. Ofosu stated.

He noted that although the Chief Justice had been formally informed of the reasons for her removal in a letter issued through the President’s Secretary, the government cannot make such details public. A constitutional warrant, he added, was also issued in line with Article 146.

“I am not permitted by law to make any disclosures beyond the fact that the President has complied with the recommendations of the committee,” Mr. Ofosu stressed.

“Jubilee House cannot breach the Constitution of Ghana, which bars us from discussing details surrounding this entire proceeding,” he further emphasized.

Justice Torkornoo’s removal followed an investigation by a constitutional committee, set up under Article 146(6), into a petition filed by Mr. Daniel Ofori. The committee concluded that allegations of stated misbehaviour under Article 146(1) had been proven.

Bound by Article 146(9), President Mahama effected the removal on September 1, 2025.