Recent petitions calling for the removal of Ghana's Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, have ignited discussions about judicial independence and potential executive influence within the judiciary. As her future hangs in the balance, historical precedent reminds us of a similar event in 1963, when Sir Kobina Arku Korsah, Ghana's first African Chief Justice, was ousted from his position by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

According to ghanaianmuseum.com, Sir Arku Korsah presided over the trial of suspects implicated in the Kulungugu Bomb Attack in 1962, an unsuccessful assassination attempt on Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. In December 1963, he acquitted three of the accused, a verdict that reportedly displeased the Nkrumah administration. The Edward Ulzen Memorial Foundation further notes that this not-guilty verdict surprised Dr. Nkrumah, leading to swift repercussions, including Sir Arku Korsah's removal, which was met with condemnation both domestically and internationally.

The Edward Ulzen Memorial Foundation stated, "When, on December 11, 1963, the Chief Justice Sir Arku Korsah announced a verdict of not guilty, it came as a bombshell to Nkrumah. He swiftly over-reacted. Two days after the verdict, he dismissed the Chief Justice and rushed a bill through the Assembly which gave the president the power, in the national interest, to set aside any judgement in the country’s courts."

This action was perceived as a significant blow to judicial independence, raising concerns about Nkrumah's leadership. "This rapid demolition of the independence of the judiciary did more than anything else to convince the world that Nkrumah had embarked on a course leading to dictatorship. Protests flooded in from Britain and America, and even Nkrumah’s most loyal supporters grew alarmed," the Foundation noted.

Even figures like Cyril Lionel Robert James, who had previously praised Nkrumah, criticized the decision. James had earlier advised Nkrumah to investigate the motives behind assassination attempts and questioned the honesty of those around him. In response to the dismissal, James appealed, "You cannot dismiss your Chief Justice... You must go and make a public apology." He warned that dismissing the Chief Justice would alienate Nkrumah's supporters and tarnish his reputation.

Sir Arku Korsah, born in Saltpond, received his education at Mfantsipim School, Fourah Bay College, Durham University, and London University, earning his LLB in 1919. He passed away on January 25, 1967. The article also makes note of a social media feud between Ras Mubarak and Alan's running mate regarding Ama Pratt's appointment, though details of this incident remain limited within this particular article.