Mahama’s Removal of Chief Justice Was a Long-Planned Scheme – Asenso-Boakye
Asenso-Boakye Alleges Orchestrated Plot
Francis Asenso-Boakye, Member of Parliament for Bantama, has sharply criticised President John Dramani Mahama over the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo. According to him, the President’s action was not coincidental but rather a meticulously crafted scheme aimed at undermining Ghana’s judiciary.
In a strongly worded statement shared on Facebook, the former Roads and Highways Minister warned that the move poses a grave danger to Ghana’s democratic foundations. “President Mahama’s sacking of the Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo is no accident; it was a long-planned scheme, executed with precision. This reckless move shatters judicial independence and strikes at the heart of our democracy,” he wrote.
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Asenso-Boakye further cautioned that if a Chief Justice could be removed on what he described as “flimsy grounds,” no judge in the country would feel secure enough to uphold the Constitution.
Implications for Democracy and Rule of Law
The Bantama MP framed the decision as an assault on the Republic itself, arguing that Ghana’s democratic progress was being threatened. “This is not just an attack on one individual, it is an assault on the very foundation of our Republic. Ghana has come too far to let the Rule of Law be hijacked. We must resist every attempt to weaken our institutions. Ghana deserves better,” he stressed.
His criticism comes after President Mahama, on Monday, September 1, invoked Article 146(9) of the 1992 Constitution to remove Justice Torkornoo from office. The move followed the recommendation of a committee set up to investigate petitions of alleged misconduct and incompetence.
Widespread Reactions Across Ghana
The decision has drawn sharp responses from various quarters. The Ghana Bar Association, civil society organisations, and the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) have all condemned the President’s action, labelling it unconstitutional and a direct threat to judicial independence.
Observers fear that the removal could set a dangerous precedent where judicial officers may be vulnerable to political influence. Legal experts have cautioned that Ghana’s long-standing democratic stability depends heavily on the independence of the judiciary, and any perception of interference could erode public trust in governance structures.
For many, this development raises urgent questions about the balance of power, the integrity of constitutional processes, and the future of Ghana’s democratic institutions.
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