Chief Justice’s public outburst disappointing – Lawyer Ansa-Asare [Video]

Faridatu Seidu — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 11:30:47 +0000

Former Director of the Ghana School of Law, Lawyer Kwaku Ansa-Asare, has expressed deep disappointment over Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo’s recent public address regarding her suspension and the ongoing proceedings to remove her from office.

Reacting to the June 25 press conference held by the suspended Chief Justice, Lawyer Ansah-Asare described her actions as inappropriate and unbecoming of someone holding the highest position in the judiciary.

“I was very sad about the press conference. That’s not the way of the law,” he said in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen.

“If something isn’t going well, she should keep it to herself and not voice it out publicly. That’s something an ordinary lawyer like myself should do, not the Chief Justice.”

He warned that Justice Torkornoo’s comments could further damage the public’s trust in the judiciary.

“There was a survey indicating that 86% of Ghanaians do not trust the judiciary. If the head of that institution also declares she has no confidence in the system, what does that say about our justice system?”

Justice Torkornoo, who was suspended by President John Mahama in April 2025 after a prima facie case was established by the Council of State, had raised concerns about constitutional breaches and procedural irregularities in the petition to remove her.

However, Lawyer Ansa-Asare argued that the Chief Justice should have sought internal redress rather than taking her grievances to the public.

“It looks like she feels abandoned and is acting out of frustration, but we should not support her actions. As Chief Justice, she should work to restore public confidence, not undermine it,” he stressed.

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Former Director of the Ghana School of Law, Lawyer Ansa-Asare, has stated that President John Mahama is not required by the Constitution to publicly disclose the names of individuals who have petitioned for the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo.

Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Ansa-Asare explained that while political factors may influence the decision to disclose, the Constitution does not mandate the President to reveal the identities of petitioners.

“There is nowhere in the Constitution that requires the President to disclose the names of petitioners. However, political considerations and past precedents may influence how similar cases were handled. For security reasons, it is also not advisable to publicize the petitioners’ names. But constitutionally, the President is not wrong for withholding them,” he stated.

His comments come amid President Mahama’s consultations with the Council of State after receiving three petitions seeking the removal of Chief Justice Torkornoo.

The Council of State is expected to review the petitions and advise the President in accordance with Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution.

Lawyer Ansah Asare – Adomonline.com

Chief Justice’s public outburst disappointing – Lawyer Ansa-Asare [Video]

Mahama not obligated to disclose petitioners’ names – Lawyer Ansa-Asare