In December 2024, significant controversy erupted surrounding the then President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, when he faced criticism for allegedly dismissing a petition aimed at the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo. The petition, brought forth by well-known US-based Ghanaian lawyer and scholar Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare—popularly known as Kwaku Azar—generated much debate and speculation regarding the integrity of the judicial system in Ghana.
However, a leaked letter from Akufo-Addo to the Council of State has revealed that he did not simply disregard the petition, contrary to popular belief. The correspondence, shared by the Majority Leader of Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, indicated that the former president had, in fact, initiated the requisite legal proceedings aimed at addressing the allegations against Chief Justice Torkornoo.
In his letter, Akufo-Addo disclosed that he had requested Justice Torkornoo to provide a formal response to the petition seeking her removal. This step was in accordance with the principles of natural justice and the statutory right to a fair hearing. The Chief Justice duly responded to the petition, and her response, along with supplementary evidence, was forwarded to the Council of State for further deliberation.
Part of the letter read, "I write further to my letter, dated 18th December 2024, to you, forwarding a copy of the petition dated 17th December 2024 from one Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare. By a letter dated 20th December 2024, I forwarded a copy of the petition to the Chief Justice, in line with the rules of natural justice and the right to a fair hearing, for her response to the allegations made against her in the petition." The letter concluded with a request for the Council's prompt views on the matter in question, indicating the urgency and seriousness of the issue.
This incident had added fuel to ongoing discussions about the interactions between Ghana's judiciary and executive branches and raised questions about the proper procedures for handling allegations against high-ranking officials. The Majority Leader’s comments emphasized the importance of due process, noting that the former Attorney General, Godfred Dame, had expressed concerns regarding the constitutional implications of how the president had managed the situation. With both legal and political ramifications in play, the unfolding events remained closely monitored by the public and legal experts alike.
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