The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has strongly criticized the decision to remove Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo from office, describing it as a blow to Ghana’s democratic values.
Speaking to journalists in Akwatia on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, where the by-election is underway, Mr. Afenyo-Markin questioned the basis for her removal, insisting the process was incomplete and unfair.
“We are mourning democracy. You claim that you have charges against the Chief Justice, so you are done with count 1, you have count 2 and 3 not done, and then you say you dismiss the person. That is the work of the Pwamang Committee? That is what Pwamang did as a judge?” he quizzed.
His concerns were echoed by former Attorney-General, Nii Ayikoi Otoo, who also described Justice Torkornoo’s removal by President John Dramani Mahama as unjustified.
Mr. Otoo argued that the Chief Justice acted within the established policies of the judiciary when she sought to take an official vacation trip to Arusha, Tanzania, and that she never personally determined her travel entitlements.
“When these entitlements come, it is not for you to determine anything. You are just to determine whether you want to travel. So when you tell them that I intend to take my vacation in Arusha, Tanzania, then the officers will work on whatever is your entitlement and bring it to you. This is nothing new,” he explained.
He further faulted the committee that handled the petitions for deliberately ignoring the judiciary’s travel policy, which, according to him, allows the Chief Justice to travel with a person of their choice.
“What wrong did the Chief Justice commit for asking to go on a usual vacation as part of the conditions of service and saying that, well, I intend to go to Arusha? Was she the one who asked that she be given travel expenses? Is she not entitled to the travel expenses?” he asked.
Mr. Otoo argued that even if there had been any irregularities, the appropriate step would have been an audit and a possible surcharge, not outright removal from office. He expressed surprise that former Auditor-General Daniel Domelovo, a member of the committee, endorsed the decision despite the counterarguments presented.
“I’m surprised Domelovo was on it. He sat through it. We made presentations to him. And he, in the midst of all this, comes out to say that she has misappropriated money. Which money?” Mr. Otoo retorted.
The removal of Justice Torkornoo has triggered widespread debate, with critics warning that it undermines judicial independence, while government officials insist the decision was based on due process.