The Africa Judicial Independence Fund (AJIF) has a statement expressing views over ongoing processes to remove Ghana’s Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo from office.
In a statement issued by the AJIF, it indicated that “based on currently available information, the constitutional process for removing the chief justice appears to be followed” and that there “is no clear evidence of subversion of the constitutional procedures at this time”; it takes no position on the matter.
It did, however, argue that the current processes for removing a Chief Justice lack robustness and can allow for manipulation and undue political influence.
“The Africa Judicial Independence Fund (AJIF) takes no position on the merits of calls for the removal of the chief justice. However, the AJIF is concerned about the lack of robustness in the constitutional framework governing the appointment and removal of judges, including the chief justice. In its current form, the framework leaves room for potential manipulation and undue political influence, and therefore requires urgent tightening and reform to better safeguard judicial independence”.
“Calls for reform must be rooted in constitutionalism, guided by the national interest, and oriented toward the long-term strengthening of Ghana’s democratic institutions. Reaching a decision regarding the current chief justice without tackling the deeper, systemic causes of the current crisis will not resolve the challenges confronting Ghana’s judiciary; it will only exacerbate them”, it stated.
