Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga

The Majority Leader in Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, has revealed that the government is preparing to introduce new constitutional guidelines for the removal of Justices of the Superior Courts, including the Chief Justice.

Addressing Parliament on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, during the opening of the Second Meeting of the First Session of the Ninth Parliament of the Fourth Republic, he explained that the government aims to establish a more robust and transparent process for the removal of Supreme Court Justices, including the Chief Justice.

“The Attorney General will also present several pieces of subsidiary legislation, including the Corporate Insolvency and Restructuring Regulations, Court of Appeal Rules, EOCO (Operations) Regulations, EOCO (Terms and Conditions of Service) Regulations, High Court (Civil Procedure) (Amendment) Rules, Interpretation Regulations, Judicial Service (Terms and Conditions of Service) Regulations, Legal Aid Commission Regulations, Supreme Court Rules, and most significantly removal from Office of Justices of the Supreme Court Rules,” he stated.

Mahama Ayariga reaffirmed President John Dramani Mahama's commitment to accelerating legislative reforms aimed at strengthening state institutions and deepening Ghana’s democratic governance.

“The President is committed to legislative clarity and transparency regarding the constitutional processes for the removal of justices of the Superior Courts,” he added.

His remarks come in the wake of the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, following the determination of a prima facie case in three petitions calling for her removal from office.

President John Dramani Mahama has constituted a five-member committee to investigate the petitions.

In the interim, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has assumed the role of Acting Chief Justice in line with Article 144(6) of the 1992 Constitution, which stipulates that the most senior Justice of the Supreme Court shall act as Chief Justice if the position becomes vacant or the substantive Chief Justice is unable to perform their duties.

JKB/MA

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