In recent months, Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana has dominated public discussion and discourse following the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Sackey Torkornoo from office.

For many, the controversy involving the former Chief Justice marked the first time they heard of Article 146 and became aware of its implications.

FULL TEXT: Sophia Akuffo's testimony in support of Gertrude Torkornoo

Justice Torkornoo was removed from office as the CJ and the head of the Supreme Court by President John Dramani Mahama after a constitutional inquiry established to investigate petitions against her, found misconduct on her part.

According to the Presidency, which announced her removal, the committee found that Justice Torkornoo had engaged in 'stated misbehaviour' within the meaning of Article 146(1), which states: “A Justice of the Superior Court or a Chairman of a Regional Tribunal shall not be removed from office except for stated misbehaviour or incompetence, or on grounds of inability to perform the functions of his office arising from infirmity of body or mind.”

Aside from the former Chief Justice, several individuals, particularly heads of independent constitutional bodies like the EC, NCCE and CHRAJ, have also found themselves as 'victims' of Article 146 under the grounds of 'stated misbehaviour.

This GhanaWeb article highlights individuals who have been removed from office under Article 146

Charlotte Kesson-Smith Osei

The former EC chair was sacked from office based on recommendations from a committee that investigated corruption and misconduct allegations against her.

She was accused of taking unilateral decisions without recourse to the appropriate departments of the EC, even her deputies.

She was also accused of engaging in fraudulent activities, citing her decision to cancel a contract awarded to Superlock Technologies Limited (STL) to supply and manage Biometric Voter Registration machines (BVRs) and the Biometric Voter Devices (BVDs), as well as her directive for the payment of $76,000 to IT firm, Dream Oval.

Amadu Sulley

As a former Deputy Chair of the EC, he was sacked alongside his boss, Charlotte Osei on same allegations.

Georgina Opoku Amankwaa

Opoku Amankwaa who was also a Deputy Chair, was sacked together with Charlotte Osei.

Lauretta Lamptey

A former Commissioner for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) was removed from office based on the recommendations of a committee set up by the then-Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Wood to investigate the conduct of the commissioner for misappropriating public funds in 2015.

This was after a petition submitted against Lamptey concluded that she was unfit to hold the position of Commissioner for Human Rights and Administrative Justice.

Removal of CJ Torkornoo: 'Perhaps she did the same thing' – Deputy AG fires Sophia Akuffo

Dr Jacob Emmanuel Oppong

A Deputy Chairman of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Dr Jacob Emmanuel Oppong, was removed from office in August 1999 after a probe by the Justice Acquah Committee.

He assumed office in July 1993.

MAG/VPO

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