It was carefully planned and executed – Kpemka on CJ’s removal

Former Deputy Attorney-General, Joseph Kpemka, has condemned the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, warning that the decision sets a dangerous precedent for Ghana’s democracy.

President John Dramani Mahama, on Monday, September 1, 2025, removed the Chief Justice from office, invoking Article 146(9) of the 1992 Constitution.

The move followed a recommendation by a committee constituted under Article 146(6) to investigate a petition submitted by a private citizen, Mr. Daniel Ofori.

The removal took immediate effect.

Reacting to the development, Kpemka said he was not surprised, but deeply concerned. He described the decision as politically motivated and part of a deliberate agenda.

“I’m not surprised at all. Some of us saw this coming. From the beginning, it was clear that once the NDC regained power, the Chief Justice would be removed. And now, it has happened carefully planned and executed,” he stated.

Kpemka cautioned that such politically driven removals could erode public confidence in the judiciary and threaten the stability of Ghana’s democratic institutions.

“This is a serious blow to our democracy,” he warned.

“If this becomes the norm, it will be repeated by future governments, and we’ll be on a dangerous path.”

He called for constitutional reforms to safeguard the independence of the judiciary and prevent political manipulation of such processes in the future.

“What has happened signals a turning point and not a good one. If we don’t act to amend the Constitution, this could mark the beginning of the end for our democratic gains,” he added.