A Political Scientist at the University of Ghana, Dr Joshua Jebuntie Zaato, has described the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo as a politically significant milestone in Ghana's Fourth Republic, predicting that Electoral Commission (EC) Chairperson Jean Mensa and her deputies could also face petitions for their removal in the near future.

Speaking in an interview on TV3 on September 1, 2025, Dr Zaato asserted that history would remember President John Dramani Mahama as the first Ghanaian leader to dismiss a sitting Chief Justice, an unprecedented event under the 1992 Constitution.

"History will not remember constitutionality, no. History will remember that under this constitution, in this Fourth Republic, it was His Excellency John Dramani Mahama who was the first to fire a sitting Chief Justice, a member of the coequal arms of government," Dr Zaato said.

"Tomorrow, when constitutional law is being taught, this example will always come up. So far, it is probably the biggest achievement of this government, the removal of the Chief Justice."

Dr Zaato, however, emphasised that while the process adhered to constitutional provisions, every step of the procedure was deeply political.

"No matter how you call it, you say it was His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama who sacked the Chief Justice. That's a fact. It doesn't matter whether it's constitutional or not. He wrote the letter saying, you are sacked," he stressed.

The political scientist pointed out several decisions he believes were politically motivated.

Withholding Council of State Recommendations: Dr Zaato noted that, unlike under former President Akufo-Addo, the Council of State's reasoning was not made public, which he described as a political choice.

Suspension of the Chief Justice: He argued that the President could have allowed Justice Torkonoo to remain in office during investigations, but chose otherwise, making it a political decision.

Timing of Council of State Submissions: He observed that the President had full discretion over when to submit the committee's report to the Council of State, further illustrating political manoeuvring.

The Chief Justice's dismissal was executed under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution following the recommendations of a committee established to investigate a petition against her.

"President John Dramani Mahama has, in accordance with Article 146(9) of the 1992 Constitution, removed the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, from office with immediate effect," the statement read.

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The decision followed recommendations from the five-member Pwamang Committee, which investigated multiple petitions filed against the Chief Justice and found grounds of stated misbehaviour under Article 146(1).

Justice Torkornoo was suspended in April 2025 after President Mahama, in consultation with the Council of State, determined there was a prima facie case against her based on three separate petitions.

CJ Torkonoo Removed: History will remember President Mahama as the first to remove a Chief Justice. The EC Chair is next – Dr. Joshua Zaato#3NewsGH pic.twitter.com/zJ8R6Bje6F

— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) September 1, 2025