CDD Boss Urges Full Disclosure of CJ Suspension Findings
The recent suspension of Ghana’s Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, continues to dominate national conversation, and now, a powerful call for transparency has emerged from a respected voice in civil society. Professor H. Kwasi Prempeh, Executive Director of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), has made a strong case for reforming the legal framework governing the removal of superior court justices, advocating for openness and fairness in a process he believes is shrouded in secrecy.
Professor Prempeh’s comments come in the wake of the Chief Justice’s suspension by President John Dramani Mahama on April 22, 2025. This was based on a prima facie case arising from three separate petitions, a move that has sparked debate across the legal and political spheres. The decision was made in accordance with Article 146(6) of the 1992 Constitution after consulting the Council of State. Following the suspension, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, the most senior Justice of the Supreme Court, was appointed as Acting Chief Justice.
But the lack of public access to the details of the removal petitions and the rationale behind the suspension has prompted Professor Prempeh to raise important questions. Speaking candidly, he pointed out that the secrecy embedded in Article 146 undermines public confidence in the judiciary. While acknowledging that in-camera hearings might sometimes be necessary, he insisted that the findings and outcomes of such proceedings, including the grounds and evidence supporting them, must be disclosed to the public after the process concludes.
For Professor Prempeh, justice must not only be done but also be seen to be done. The people of Ghana, he stressed, deserve to know why their Chief Justice was suspended and what evidence led to that decision. In his words, the public should not be kept in the dark, especially on matters that impact the integrity of the judicial system. He believes that transparency strengthens the rule of law and helps citizens judge for themselves whether due process was followed.
Beyond transparency, Professor Prempeh also questioned the composition of the five-member investigative committee handling removal petitions. Specifically, he took issue with the inclusion of sitting judges when the petition involves the Chief Justice. According to him, having judicial colleagues assess one of their own introduces potential bias, as they may have personal or professional stakes in the outcome. Instead, he proposed that retired jurists or respected public servants be appointed to such committees to ensure neutrality and impartiality.
He further recommended that the President’s role in the removal process be limited to implementing the final decision rather than influencing the process itself. Such a reform, he argues, would remove any political overtones and strengthen the independence of the judiciary.
With a five-member committee now investigating the petitions that led to Justice Torkornoo’s suspension, eyes across the country remain fixed on the outcome. For many, the hope is that transparency and accountability will prevail, not just for the sake of this case, but for the long-term credibility of Ghana’s democratic institutions.
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