Ex-Ghana Law School Director Criticises Former CJ Torkornoo’s Legal Challenge as “Premature and Disrespectful”
Ansa-Asare Faults Former Chief Justice Torkornoo’s Court Action
Former Director of the Ghana School of Law, Kwaku Ansa-Asare, has sharply criticised former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo over her decision to legally challenge the appointment of Justice Baffoe-Bonnie as her successor.
Speaking to the on Friday, October 17, 2025, Mr. Ansa-Asare described Justice Torkornoo’s recent court action as “immature” and a display of “gross disrespect for the law.”
Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, who was dismissed from office on September 1, 2025, filed a legal application at the High Court on Thursday, October 16, 2025. Her suit seeks to quash all proceedings of the Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang Committee, which was constituted under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution to investigate petitions leading to her removal.
She also requested the court to set aside all actions taken by the committee and to halt the vetting and appointment of Justice Baffoe-Bonnie as Ghana’s next Chief Justice, whose confirmation hearing is expected before Parliament’s Appointments Committee.
Justice Torkornoo’s dismissal followed findings of misconduct, financial irregularities, and breaches of constitutional provisions, according to the committee’s report endorsed by President John Mahama after consultation with the Council of State.
Reacting to the development, Mr. Ansa-Asare said the former Chief Justice’s lawsuit damages the image of the judiciary and undermines public confidence in the rule of law.
“I sympathise with her situation, but legally, I find no justification for her actions,” he told Citi News. “By challenging a constitutionally established process, she is demonstrating a lack of respect for the very laws she once upheld.”
He added that the move reinforces his earlier belief that Justice Torkornoo lacked the maturity and temperament required for the top judicial position.
“She is proving me right when I said, even before her appointment, that her demeanour suggested she was not suited for the role of Chief Justice,” Mr. Ansa-Asare said. “A person who has served at that level should know when to step back and respect institutional processes.”
Mr. Ansa-Asare also urged President John Mahama and future leaders to consider emotional intelligence and temperament as key factors when appointing individuals to the highest offices of the judiciary.
“This episode should serve as a lesson to political leaders,” he said. “When nominating a Chief Justice, the focus should not only be on academic credentials or seniority but also on personal maturity, composure, and respect for constitutional order.”
The ongoing controversy has reignited debate over judicial independence and accountability in Ghana. Legal analysts note that while Justice Torkornoo has the right to seek redress, her case raises sensitive questions about the boundaries of judicial privilege and post-tenure conduct of senior justices.
The outcome of the High Court’s ruling could have lasting implications for how constitutional committees operate when investigating allegations of misconduct against top judicial officers.
Ghana’s judiciary, already grappling with public scrutiny in recent years, faces renewed pressure to maintain transparency and uphold institutional integrity as it navigates this high-profile dispute.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s vetting is expected to proceed in the coming days unless the court grants an injunction. Meanwhile, the legal fraternity remains divided, with some defending Torkornoo’s right to challenge perceived procedural breaches, while others back Ansa-Asare’s assertion that her actions could set a troubling precedent.
As the case unfolds, observers say the situation underscores a larger national question — how Ghana balances judicial accountability with the preservation of institutional respect for its democratic processes.
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