Yaw Asani Tano, the National Organiser of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), has made bold claims regarding the appointment of suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo, suggesting it was a strategic move by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to retain influence over Ghana’s judiciary.
Speaking on Peace FM, Tano alleged that Justice Torkornoo’s elevation to the highest judicial office did not follow the standard seniority protocol. According to him, she was ranked seventh in line among her peers when appointed and was selected primarily because of her age and proximity to retirement, ensuring a longer tenure in office.
“It wasn’t her turn. She was appointed to secure NPP’s interests in the judiciary beyond their time in office,” he stated.
⚖️ Judiciary as Political Insurance?
Tano labeled the judiciary as the “last protective covering” for the ruling party, arguing that Justice Torkornoo’s rise to Chief Justice in 2023 was politically motivated rather than based on merit. He claimed the appointment was meant to secure long-term judicial influence for the NPP, even if it were voted out in subsequent elections.
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This assertion comes amid ongoing public scrutiny of judicial independence in Ghana, particularly concerning appointments made by political leaders during their final years in power.
🚨 Legal Setback for Suspended Chief Justice
The controversy surrounding Justice Torkornoo intensified after she filed an injunction application on May 21, 2025, seeking to halt a presidential committee’s investigation into petitions for her removal.
However, the Supreme Court of Ghana unanimously dismissed her application on May 28, 2025, effectively greenlighting the six-member investigative committee formed by President John Dramani Mahama.
The application aimed to restrain the committee—comprising Justices Gabriel Scott Pwamang, Samuel Kwame Adibu-Asiedu, former Auditor-General Daniel Yao Domelevo, Major Flora Bazuwaaruah Dalugo, and Prof. James Sefah Dziasah—from proceeding with the inquiry.
Justice Torkornoo also sought to have Justices Pwamang and Adibu-Asiedu recused from the committee, alleging potential bias in the handling of her case.
🧭 The Road Ahead
The dismissal of the injunction marks a significant development in the unfolding judicial saga, which could have lasting implications on public trust in Ghana’s legal institutions. The allegations of political interference in judicial appointments have sparked calls for reforms, including a more transparent and merit-based system for selecting Supreme Court justices.
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While the Office of the President and the Judicial Service have not issued formal responses to Tano’s claims, the conversation adds to the growing debate over how deeply politics influences the judiciary in Ghana.
source: GhanaWeb
