Concerns have been raised by Lawyer Gloria Ofori-Boadu about the ongoing impeachment proceedings of Ghana’s Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo. Her displeasure is consistent with larger concerns over the constitutional rules controlling such proceedings, even though specifics of her objections are not commonly published.
Lawyer Ofori-Boadu expressed her concern over the impeachment process of the present Chief Justice during an interview with Paul Adom-Otchere on “Good Evening Ghana.” According to her, a Chief Justice has never been removed from the US presidential system of government.
According to the U.S. Constitution, a Chief Justice may be removed through the impeachment process, although the sole instance of this occurring was in 1804, when a Supreme Court Justice named Samuel Chase was tried by the Senate. She went on to say that the judiciary, and especially the head of the judiciary, are untouchable in matters of constitutional and democratic governance.
“Unless we want to remove the Chief Justice every month” she said.
Notably, former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo has also called out the current constitutional framework for Chief Justice impeachment as insufficient. She underlined the importance of due process and pointed out flaws in the current framework, especially the substantial authority granted to the President and the Council of State in these proceedings.
President Mahama Is In Consultation Prior To The Removal Of The Chief Justice
In a parallel move, a petition to remove Chief Justice Torkornoo was denied by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare filed the petition, alleging incompetence and misconduct. But after consulting with the Council of State, the then President came to the conclusion that the petition was without substance and did not present a strong enough argument to support more research.
These incidents have spurred debates among the public and legal community on the fairness and openness of Ghana’s high-ranking judicial officers’ impeachment procedure.
