Gov’t criticises Torkornoo’s public comments, describes as regrettable

The government has criticised the suspended Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, over her media engagement regarding the ongoing impeachment process against her.

Speaking to the media shortly after Justice Torkornoo’s press conference on Wednesday, June 25, the government’s spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, described her remarks as unfortunate and misleading.

He stressed that President Mahama has followed due process in handling the petitions brought against Justice Torkornoo, making her allegations of political interference completely misplaced.

“Unfortunately, Her Ladyship the Chief Justice herself has added to this commentary, which initially was the tone of elements of the opposition. It is deeply regrettable that this would happen when the President has been above board and conducted himself in strict compliance with the Constitution of Ghana,” Mr. Ofosu said.

Earlier that day, Justice Torkornoo publicly described the impeachment process as unconstitutional, irregular, and politically motivated. She vowed not to resign under pressure, warning that the process poses a threat to Ghana’s democracy.

She also raised concerns over breaches of procedure and violations of her rights, particularly following a Supreme Court ruling that struck out a supplementary affidavit she had filed to support her efforts to halt the process.

In that affidavit, Justice Torkornoo described the treatment she has received as degrading and claimed the process was part of a politically driven attempt to force her out of office.

But the Supreme Court disagreed, siding with Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem Sai, who argued that her affidavit revealed confidential details from the committee’s private deliberations — a clear violation of constitutional rules.

Her lawyer, former Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame, disagreed with the court’s ruling, arguing that the affidavit was simply filed as part of a legal process and was never made public.

Nonetheless, the Supreme Court maintained that the affidavit breached confidentiality and ordered that it be struck out.

Mr. Kwakye Ofosu, addressing the matter, maintained that the government has respected all legal procedures and the process is being handled strictly in accordance with the Constitution.