Former President John Evans Atta Mills, during his tenure as President of Ghana in 2011, responded humorously to a journalist who questioned him about alleged plans to remove the Chief Justice of the Republic because the previous government appointed her before he assumed office.
At the time, the Chief Justice of Ghana, Georgina Theodora Wood, had been appointed in 2007 by former President John Agyekum Kufuor and was still serving in 2011.
During an editors' forum in 2011, a journalist asked President Mills if he intended to dismiss Justice Wood, the first female Chief Justice of Ghana.
"There is a rumour… Do you have any such intention to work for the removal of the Chief Justice?" the journalist asked.
President Mills responded with humour, "Thank you. Uh, please, stay where you are. Look at my face very carefully. Listen to my voice. Do I look and sound like a cat hunter?"
His witty response drew laughter from the audience.
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Footage of this exchange has resurfaced following the recent removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Torkornoo by President John Dramani Mahama.
The dismissal of Justice Torkornoo was carried out under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution following recommendations from a committee established to investigate petitions filed 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," a statement read.
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The decision followed findings by the five-member Pwamang Committee, which investigated multiple petitions and concluded there were grounds of stated misbehaviour under Article 146(1).
Justice Torkornoo had earlier been 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.
President Mills in 2011 was asked if he had any intentions to remove the Chief Justice and he asked if he looks and sounds like a “Cat hunter”. President Mills’ respect for our democracy was top notch! Asomdwehene 🤲🏼
— JEFFERY ADU-YEBOAH (@thejaylit_) September 2, 2025
“ It takes more than legal rules to keep a democracy. The kind… pic.twitter.com/23WvExJXMu
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