Torkornoo seeks retirement entitlements from Mahama

• Former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo seeks retirement entitlements, according to a key member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) legal team. Abraham Amaliba recently revealed this information, stating that Torkornoo approached President John Mahama through two prominent individuals. The former Chief Justice asked for a discussion to facilitate her retirement with all due entitlements. However, this initiative suddenly stopped. She filed a court case challenging her removal. This latest development surprises many observers.

Meanwhile, Mr. Amaliba made this latest statement during a discussion on TV3’s KeyPoints. He appeared on the show on September 6. He discussed the removal of Gertrude Torkornoo from her position. Another panel member, Mr. Ansa-Asare, had suggested that allowing Torkornoo to retire with benefits would be humane. He argued that she served for 21 years and deserved the opportunity. Nevertheless, Mr. Amaliba noted that Torkornoo herself halted the process. Her legal action against the removal, therefore, ended any ongoing discussions.

In a related but separate development, legal practitioner Martin Luther Kpebu commented on the matter. He stated on September 1 that the removed Chief Justice loses all her entitlements. The removal means she was found liable for breaching rules while in office. The committee will make the specific breaches public once it releases the report. Mr. Kpebu explained that the Supreme Court has made it clear that such reports can be public. He also added that a review of the report will inform Ghanaians about her removal.

The President sacked the Chief Justice on September 1. His action followed a report from a committee investigating three petitions for her removal. A statement from Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister for Government Communications, confirmed the President’s actions. The statement noted that the removal was in line with Article 146(9) of the 1992 Constitution. The committee based its decision on a petition by Samuel Ofori. It found that misbehavior under Article 146(1) was established. It then recommended her removal.

Furthermore, the President formed a five-member committee after a prima facie case was established. Supreme Court Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang chaired the committee. Other members included Daniel Yaw Domelevo and Major Flora Bazaanura Dalugo. Professor James Sefah Dzisah was also a member. Prior to the inquiry, the President suspended the Chief Justice on April 22, 2025. He did this in consultation with the Council of State. The President acted in accordance with Article 146(6) of the Constitution.

Justice Pwamang recently presented the committee’s findings to the President. He explained the committee’s mandate, which was to inquire into the petitions. The committee also had to hear the Chief Justice’s defense and then make a recommendation. The committee received about 10,000 pages of evidence from both sides. After a thorough review, the committee arrived at its recommendation on the first petition. The committee will report on the other two petitions later. Ultimately, Torkornoo seeks retirement entitlements, but her court case may have compromised that goal.

Publishing Desk (Original article: Graphic Online/TV3)