The political temperature in Ghana was high on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, when the Office of the President responded strongly to recent utterances by suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
Government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu, in a rare live address, defended the actions of the President in the suspension of Torkornoo, saying that all the actions were taken in full compliance with the Constitution.
The Presidency also encouraged Ghanaians to ignore what it termed as misleading narratives about the situation.
Justice Torkornoo, who was suspended earlier this month, had earlier in the week gone to the media to raise concerns about the process that had resulted in her removal.
She raised concerns about the transparency and fairness of the process in her comments, suggesting the potential of executive overreach and political influence.
Her remarks were met with a lot of controversy, with some praising her courage and others saying she was weakening the state institutions.
However, today the government wanted to strongly re-establish its stand.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu said, “the President has done so within the full extent of the law. Any such claim must be ignored. The Constitution is explicit, and we have adhered to it to the point.”
The press briefing was aired live at the Jubilee House and attracted a lot of national attention as the tension over the independence of the judiciary keeps mounting.
Background: The Suspension
The suspension of Justice Torkornoo was a surprise to many. In 2023, she was appointed Chief Justice, and some viewed her as a reformer with a high moral sense and a belief in the rule of law.
But her term has been getting more controversial in recent months, with rumors of internal strife, disagreement with some government policies, and growing pressure on both political and judicial fronts.
Although the official grounds of her suspension are still under wraps, the Presidency maintains that it acted on the recommendations of a judicial review panel. Opposition leaders, civil society groups, and legal experts have since called on more clarity on the issue.
Torkornoo ended her silence two days ago in an emotionally charged interview, where she hinted that her suspension could have been politically instigated.
She questioned the executive power, the independence of the judiciary and the integrity of the institutions that were supposed to check one another.
Firm Response by Presidency
But the answer was quick and definite to-day.
Kwakye Ofosu emphasized that the President is only committed to the Constitution and the people of Ghana. We know how sensitive the judiciary is but we must distinguish between legal procedure and popular feeling.
He said the Presidency would not be lured into a media trial and called on public figures to observe due process.
He said it was unfortunate that an individual who occupied such a high office would use the media to challenge legal processes. We must all get beyond theatrics and work with facts and law.
Popular Response and Continued Discussion
The response to the statement by the presidency has been quick. Ghanaians on social media were divided, with some supporting the strong position of the president and others criticizing the government of stifling criticism.
One X (formerly Twitter) user wrote, “She has all the right to tell her truth.” Justice Torkornoo is pointing out a larger problem, the diminishing room of independent voices.
One of the users responded, “Too much drama. We should leave the legal institutions to their work.”
According to legal analyst Kwame Boaten, who was speaking on Joy FM, the whole episode is an indication of a deep discomfort within the judiciary and that there should be a non-partisan review of the appointment, discipline, or removal of judges.
He said, “This should not be a political show. It is institutional trust. It is not gossip when a Chief Justice talks publicly; it is a sign.”
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What is Next?
The Presidency said the case is now with relevant legal and disciplinary authorities. Kwakye Ofosu has confirmed that the office of the Chief Justice is still vacant and there are acting arrangements to maintain continuity in the judicial process.
Nevertheless, the increasing media attention indicates that the problem is not yet resolved.
It is reported that members of Parliament, especially those of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) are planning to invite the concerned officials to be questioned.
There is also a personal legal action against the constitutionality of the suspension in the Supreme Court.
With Ghana at this constitutional crossroads, there are increasing calls to calm, transparency, and dialogue.
Such influential figures as the former President John Mahama and the retired Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo have urged everyone to allow the process to take its course without any undue politicization.
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Akuffo said, respecting due process implies that institutions should be left to do their work without the pressure of the media on a daily basis.
However, we should not dismiss legitimate concerns when they are expressed- particularly by a person who has been at the very helm of the judiciary.
Final Thoughts
With the dust yet to settle, at least temporarily, one thing is certain: the media appearance of Justice Torkornoo has brought a broader discussion of power, process, and the independence of the Ghanaian judiciary.
The reaction of the Presidency might silence some of the criticism in the short run, but unless additional clarity is provided in the next few weeks, the problem is bound to persist, and expand.
The country is keeping a close eye on it.