BY Nadia Ntiamoah
A powerful rebuke has been issued against the suspension of Ghana’s Chief Justice by the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Ghana, as the organization accuses President John Dramani Mahama of undermining judicial independence and setting a dangerous precedent that could discourage qualified women from pursuing national leadership roles.
In a strongly worded press release dated April 24, 2025, FIDA Ghana described the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo as a deeply concerning act with “far-reaching implications for the independence of the judiciary, the protection of constitutional governance, and the ongoing commitment for gender parity in national leadership.”
The organization reminded the nation that the position of Chief Justice is not merely administrative.
“A Chief Justice is not only the head of the Judiciary but also a symbol of the integrity, impartiality, and independence that defines the rule of law in any democracy,” the statement read.
Justice Torkornoo, one of the few women to ever hold Ghana’s highest judicial office, now becomes the latest in a growing list of high-ranking female leaders whose tenures have been cut short under successive governments.
FIDA Ghana condemned this trend, stating, “These removals have become the norm whenever there is a change in Government from the leadership of one party to another.
These actions serve only to weaken public and constitutional institutions and may potentially discourage competent and qualified individuals, particularly women, from accepting appointments to serve their nation in those institutions.”
Political Interference
FIDA Ghana warned that this development is not isolated, but part of a broader pattern that reveals the fragility of constitutional protections for independent officeholders.
“This development must be viewed within the broader context of the constitutional and legal gaps that leave high-ranking positions vulnerable to political interference,” the statement said.
While acknowledging that governments reserve the right to remove officials, the organization stressed that such actions must be grounded in law and transparency.
“Governments have the right to remove individuals where the need arises, however, the need to do so must be on clearly discernible and stated grounds in accordance with our constitution and not for partisan considerations or expediency.”
Gender Equity Promises Betrayed
The suspension of the Chief Justice has also reignited frustrations over the slow implementation of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1121), which mandates at least 30% female representation in leadership.
FIDA Ghana lambasted the government’s failure to meet this benchmark, saying, “The provisions of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity), Act 2024… remain woefully unfulfilled and fall short of the stated goals of the Affirmative Action law. This flies in the face of the promises in the NDC ‘Resetting Ghana’ Manifesto.”
Demands and Recommendations
Acting Executive Director of FIDA Ghana, Susan Aryeetey, called for an immediate and transparent resolution of the matter before the investigative committee.
“FIDA Ghana therefore calls for transparency regarding the process and urgent resolution of the matters before the committee to enable the Chief Justice to resume her constitutional duties to the Judiciary and Ghana.”
The organization also urged Parliament to enact constitutional reforms to protect independent institutions from political overreach, and reiterated its demand for full implementation of the Gender Equity law.
“We recommend urgent constitutional and legal reforms to provide stronger protections for office holders, especially heads of independent constitutional bodies, to prevent arbitrary dismissals,” the release stated.
In closing, FIDA Ghana issued a broader call to action: “FIDA – Ghana urges government and all other political, private and social actors to recommit to advancing women’s leadership and strengthening the independence of institutions in Ghana.”
This is not the first time Ghana has faced criticism over judicial independence.
The legacy of President Mahama’s administration may now be shadowed by growing concerns over political overreach into the judiciary—a branch of government long seen as the last bastion of impartiality and constitutional integrity.
