Senior Presidential Staffer, Nana Yaa Akyempem Jantuah, has taken a swipe at those calling for the removed Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, to be reinstated.
She notes those making such calls do not have any regard for the laws of the land, indicating that Madam Torkornoo’s dismissal was not arbitrary but something that went through constitutional procedure.
Commenting on the matter on TV3 Thursday, September 4, 2025, Yaa Jantuah noted that any call for Torkornoo’s reinstatement suggests that the Constitution of the land is not fit for purpose, since it is the document that removed her from office, rather than any human.
“If anybody respects the laws of this nation, if anybody respects the Constitution, that person will never say that the woman should be brought back. Anybody who thinks they can bring her back can do so, but it’s none of anybody’s business,” she stated.
She explained that if such calls are adhered to, “then it means you’re telling us that the Constitution that we have there is neither here nor there or you don’t even respect the Constitution.”
The former General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) also described as “problematic”, those chastising the committee that probed the petitions that were filed for Torkornoo’s removal.
According to her, the committee was constituted of persons with high repute whose work was based on the dictates on the Constitution, making her wonder why people are speaking ill against her.
“Anybody who tries to denigrate this Committee is problematic. Because these people on the committee have repeatedly said that the people are very credible people, I don’t see why they should be denigrating them in any manner,” she said on the BigIssue segment on NewDay.
The Chief Justice was sacked by the President on Monday, September 1, 2025. This followed the presentation of a report to him by the Committee tasked with investigating three petitions for her removal submitted by separate entities.
In a statement issued by the Minister in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, on Monday, September 1, 2025, it was stated that the President acted in accordance with Article 146(9) of the 1992 Constitution.
According to the statement, the Chief Justice’s removal was based on a petition by Samuel Ofori, which was investigated by the Committee constituted in accordance with Article 146(6).
“After considering the petition and the evidence, the Committee found that the grounds stated misbehaviour under Article 146(1) had been established and recommended her removal from office,” portions of the statement contained.
The Committee was constituted after a prima facie case was determined in the three separate petitions that sought the removal of the Chief Justice from office. In line with constitutional requirements, President Mahama constituted a five-member committee to conduct the inquiry.
The committee was chaired by Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang of the Supreme Court. Other members included Daniel Yaw Domelevo, a former Auditor-General; Major Flora Bazaanura Dalugo of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF); and Professor James Sefah Dzisah, Associate Professor at the University of Ghana.
Prior to the commencement of the inquiry, the President, on April 22, 2025, suspended the Chief Justice after the prima facie case was determined from the three separate petitions, as enshrined in the Constitution.
Her suspension, carried out in line with Article 146(6) of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, was done in consultation with the Council of State.
Subsequently, a five-member committee chaired by Supreme Court Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang was appointed by the President to investigate the allegations.
Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, after presenting the report to the President outlined what their mandate was.
“To the committee, our mandate and remit as set out under Article 146 Clauses (7) and (8) of the Constitution is clear and it is to inquire into the petitions in camera, hear the person against whom the petitions have been brought in her defence by herself or by a lawyer or other expert of her choice and then to make a recommendation to the President.”
