Despite Appeals and Threats For Me To Resign, I won't - Justice Gertrude Torkonoo

Suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo says she will not resign from office, framing her removal process as unconstitutional and politically motivated.

Her announcement marks a critical moment in Ghana’s escalating judicial crisis, as this is the first time such an address by a Chief Justice is being conducted.

Addressing the press on Wednesday, June 25, she explained that “If I resign under these circumstances, I will be saying that this flawed, unknown and opaque possesses acceptable. It is not.”

“Finally, let me respectfully say that the current bizarre proceedings that I have brought to your attention present a twist to our nation’s democratic journey that we all ignore at our own cost.”

Justice Torkornoo’s suspension on April 22, 2025, followed three petitions alleging misconduct, which President John Mahama deemed sufficient to trigger an investigation under Article 146(6) of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.

The now suspended Chief Justice, while addressing the media accused the committee of refusing to give her copies of the petition. ”How can anyone defend themselves without a copy of the charges against them? The committee has refused to provide me with the petitions and the evidence forming the basis of the prima facie case”, Justice Torkonoo quizzed.

Source:channel247online.com