GBA Slams Suspension of Chief Justice, Demands Immediate Reversal by President Mahama
ACCRA, Ghana — April 29, 2025 — The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has sharply criticized President John Dramani Mahama’s suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo, branding it unconstitutional and a direct threat to the independence of the judiciary.
The strong rebuke was issued in a resolution passed during the GBA’s 2025 mid-year conference held on Saturday, April 26, at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra.
“The Ghana Bar Association calls for the immediate revocation of the suspension of the Chief Justice as it considers the suspension to be unconstitutional,” the resolution stated.
According to the Association, the President’s action violates critical provisions of the 1992 Constitution, particularly Articles 146(10) and 296. The GBA argued that the President acted without the required Constitutional Instrument or regulation, making the use of his discretionary powers procedurally unsound and legally indefensible.
The legal body also condemned a recent directive by the Acting Chief Justice regarding the assignment of newly filed cases and applications. The directive centralizes case assignment to the Chief Justice’s office, a move the Bar insists undermines transparency and fairness in justice delivery.
“The Ghana Bar Association respectfully requests that this directive be withdrawn,” the resolution added, calling instead for the use of digital tools to assign cases more equitably.
The GBA’s resolutions reflect a broader concern about executive overreach and interference in judicial matters. The Association reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the rule of law, urging the executive branch to respect the judiciary’s independence.
The controversy over the Chief Justice’s suspension has ignited intense public debate on the limits of presidential authority and the safeguards needed to protect Ghana’s democratic institutions.
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