The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Ghana has criticised the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.
They said this decision undermines women’s participation in governance and discourages competent and qualified women from accepting national appointments to serve their country.
On Tuesday, April 22, 2025, President Mahama suspended Chief Justice Torkornoo after a prima facie case was established following consultation with the Council of State.
In their statement, FIDA-Ghana referenced the Affirmative Action Act, arguing that the president’s decision falls short of the goals outlined in the law. They called on the government to fulfill its promises to women in Ghana, as stated in the party’s “Resetting Ghana” manifesto.
FIDA-Ghana also demanded that the rights of the Chief Justice be respected and that she be treated with dignity.
Highlighting the broader implications, the federation emphasized concerns about the “independence of the judiciary, the protection of constitutional governance, and the ongoing commitment to gender parity in national leadership”.
“These actions serve only to weaken public and constitutional institutions and may potentially discourage competent and qualified individuals, particularly women, from accepting appointments to serve their nation in those institutions,” they stressed.
They called for transparency in the process and urged the committee to resolve the matter swiftly.
Additionally, FIDA-Ghana recommended urgent “constitutional and legal reforms to provide stronger protections for officeholders, particularly heads of independent constitutional bodies, to prevent arbitrary dismissals”.
Read full statement below:
