Minister of State for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has defended the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo, calling it “a victory for the rule of law” and rejecting allegations of political interference.
President John Mahama ordered the Chief Justice’s dismissal on Monday, acting on recommendations submitted by a constitutional committee established under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution. The committee cited “stated misbehavior” as grounds for her removal, following an inquiry into a citizen petition filed by Ghanaian businessman Daniel Ofori—one of three petitions lodged against the country’s top judicial officer.
The report from the committee, constituted under Article 146(6), was delivered to the President just hours before the announcement of Torkonoo’s removal.
In an interview with JoyNews, Mr. Kwakye Ofosu emphasized that the administration’s actions were strictly in line with constitutional provisions, pushing back against criticism from opposition groups and segments of civil society who allege political motivations behind the move.
“This is not about resetting the judiciary in the way some have sought to portray it,” Mr. Kwakye Ofosu said. “The term simply refers to ensuring fairness and balance in the judicial process.”
He further argued that the President had no unilateral authority to remove the Chief Justice and that the decision followed due process.
“The President cannot go and physically purport to be resetting the judiciary by removing the Chief Justice,” he said. “This is about upholding the fundamental principle that all are equal before the law.”
