President John Dramani Mahama has rejected accusations that he is seeking to consolidate authoritarian power following the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.
Justice Torkornoo was dismissed on 1 September 2025, following a recommendation by a committee established to investigate a petition from a private citizen. The Presidency said the action was taken in line with Article 146 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution and took immediate effect.
However, the move has sparked criticism from sections of the public and civil society, with some expressing concern that it signals a shift toward authoritarianism—particularly in light of the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s super majority in Parliament.
Critics fear the parliamentary majority could be used to push through constitutional amendments that entrench executive power, including the possibility of extending presidential term limits.
Addressing these concerns at his first media engagement since the dismissal on Wednesday, President Mahama firmly denied the allegations.
“Look in my face—do I look like a supreme leader?” he said. “I’m a democrat, true and true. Even when we attained two-thirds in Parliament, I said we would not ride roughshod over the minority. We will allow democracy to flourish.”
The President insisted the Chief Justice’s removal was conducted legally and transparently, and reiterated his commitment to upholding democratic values.
“Certainly, I’m not on the way to becoming a supreme leader or an autocrat,” he added.
Ghana is widely regarded as one of West Africa’s most stable democracies, but recent political developments have prompted calls for greater oversight and institutional independence.
