Stand united against political removal of CJ – Afenyo-Markin to Judiciary
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has urged Ghana’s judiciary to remain united in the face of what he describes as politically motivated attempts to remove Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo from office.
Addressing journalists in Accra on Wednesday, April 16, Afenyo-Markin expressed serious concern over the petitions filed for the Chief Justice’s removal. He alleged that certain individuals within the government were behind the move, aiming to undermine the independence of the judiciary.
Speaking after an emergency National Executive Committee meeting—where the Oquaye Committee presented its report—Afenyo-Markin called on judges across the country to resist efforts to oust the Chief Justice.
“We’re also concerned about certain individuals in government to push for the removal of the Chief Justice. The judiciary should not be seen as part of the political system in our country,” he stated.
“All we need is to have an impartial judiciary to dispense justice. What is happening is unacceptable. And it is clear that the NDC government wants to infiltrate the judiciary and make it partisan. But my advice to all the judges in the country is to stand together.
“After dislodging one of you, you will be the next. So, judges in the country must stand together. The judiciary must stand as one body,” Afenyo-Markin warned.
Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo is currently facing three separate petitions, filed between February 14 and March 17, 2025, which allege misconduct and incompetence. President John Dramani Mahama has since forwarded these petitions to the Council of State for advice, in line with the procedures outlined under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution.
In response, the Chief Justice requested copies of the petitions to enable her prepare a defense. She has also raised concerns over the premature circulation of official correspondence related to the petitions on social media, even before the President had fully reviewed the matters.
Her office has underscored that any move toward her removal must strictly follow the constitutional process in order to preserve the independence and integrity of Ghana’s judiciary.
