Sammy Gyamfi and Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo
The Acting Managing Director of the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC) has made serious allegations against the suspended Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Sackey Torkonoo, accusing her of illegally spending a substantial amount of state funds on a private family trip abroad.
According to the National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi, the suspended head of the judiciary allegedly spent nearly GH₵260,000 on business class air tickets and approximately $30,000 in per diem allowances for her family during the trip.
Speaking on Asempa FM on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, Sammy Gyamfi emphasized that under existing travel policies for high-ranking government officials, the Chief Justice was permitted to travel with only one person — her bodyguard — if the trip was private. Any additional expenses incurred by including other individuals were to be personally funded.
“If you are a Chief Justice and you are going on a private trip, the policy mandates you to travel with only one person — your bodyguard or security detail. That is the only person whose cost can be borne by the state. If the Chief Justice takes anyone else, she must fund the trip with her own money,” Gyamfi said.
He alleged that Justice Torkonoo violated this policy by traveling with her husband and two daughters, using GH₵260,000 of state funds for their business class tickets, despite earning a substantial salary that could have covered those expenses personally. In addition, he claimed she disbursed nearly $30,000 in per diem allowances to her family, also from public funds.
“How can anyone justify this? She used public funds — the taxes of struggling Ghanaians — to finance a private family trip. Not even economy class, but business class tickets for her entire family. She even shared dollar per diems with them. That’s why the Council of State is unanimously calling for a thorough investigation into this matter,” Gyamfi stated.
He further revealed that in her response to a petition calling for her removal, Justice Torkonoo claimed she exercised her official travel privileges for the private trip — a justification he dismissed as unacceptable.
“How can you justify using taxpayer money to fund a private family trip under the guise of official travel privileges?” he asked.
President John Mahama on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation.
According to a statement signed by the Spokesperson to the President and Minister of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the suspension follows the establishment of a prima facie case against the Chief Justice by the President, in consultation with the Council of State, in relation to three petitions filed against Justice Torkornoo.
“President John Dramani Mahama has, in accordance with Article 146(6) of the Constitution and in consultation with the Council of State, determined that a prima facie case has been established in respect of three petitions against the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo,” the statement, dated Tuesday, April 22, 2025, stated.
According to the statement, the President has also established a five-member committee, in compliance with constitutional provisions, to inquire into the petitions, which have been referred to the committee.
“The President has consequently, established a committee in compliance with Article 146(6) of the Constitution and in consultation with the Council of State with the following composition to inquire into the petitions which have been referred to them,” the statement added.
Members of the committee, as listed, are:
Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, Justice of the Supreme Court, Chairman
Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu-Asiedu, Justice of the Supreme Court, Member
Daniel Yaw Domelevo (Former Auditor-General), Member
Major Flora Bazwaanura Dalugo (Ghana Armed Forces), Member
Professor James Sefah Dzisah (Associate Professor, University of Ghana), Member
Sammy Gyamfi reveals how Justice Gertrude Torkonoo spent public funds on his family which was against the law. #AbanPapaAba pic.twitter.com/eIlz10baYE
— KOJO DYNAMIC 𓃵 (@AnnanPerry) April 22, 2025
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