ECOWAS ruling won’t secure your reinstatement — Ayeh-Paye advises Torkornoo to let the matter rest

Former Ayensuano MP, Samuel Ayeh-Paye, has advised former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo to abandon her quest to return to office despite the recent decision from the ECOWAS Court of Justice regarding her case.

Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Thursday, November 20, he argued that the legal and constitutional issues surrounding the matter make it highly unlikely that she will be reinstated—even if she eventually wins at the ECOWAS Court.

He explained that any directive from the regional court ordering her reinstatement would almost certainly provoke a counteraction from Ghana’s Supreme Court, creating additional legal hurdles.

“I’m one of those who believe the former Chief Justice should let this matter rest. From my perspective, it will be extremely difficult. Even if ECOWAS rules in her favour and recommends her return, do you not think the Supreme Court of Ghana will issue another ruling to oppose it? If I were to advise her, I would suggest she steps back and allows the system to function,” Ayeh-Paye stated.

He stressed that Ghana’s constitutional structure does not support her reinstatement and emphasised that ECOWAS cannot enforce such a decision in Ghana.

“ECOWAS cannot physically reinstate her; they can only issue a ruling. And even that raises another question—whether the government will comply,” he said.

Ayeh-Paye also admitted that Justice Torkornoo was likely not treated justly during the process that led to her removal, describing the episode as setting a “disturbing precedent” in the country’s governance.

His remarks follow a recent ECOWAS Court decision rejecting Justice Torkornoo’s request for provisional measures to stop the committee that investigated her removal. The Court also dismissed the Government of Ghana’s preliminary objection that the ECOWAS Court lacked jurisdiction over the matter.