From L to R: Justices Lovelace-Johnson, Gabriel Pwamang, Yonny Kulendi, Omoro Tanko, Baffoe-Bonnie
Rumours are swirling that President John Dramani Mahama has allegedly suspended Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.
On Tuesday, March 25, 2025, the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, revealed that the president had received three separate petitions calling for the removal of the Chief Justice.
In response, the Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, filed a writ at the Supreme Court, seeking a declaration that President Mahama’s decision to forward the petitions to the Council of State for consultation is unconstitutional.
According to the MP, the constitution mandates that the president must first notify the Chief Justice of the petitions and allow her the opportunity to respond before consulting the Council of State.
Amid this legal and political standoff, multiple reports have emerged that Chief Justice Torkornoo has been suspended.
As the situation unfolds, let’s take a look at some of the potential candidates who could assume the role of Chief Justice if her removal is officially confirmed.
His Lordship Justice Gabriel Pwamang
Justice Pwamang currently serves at the Supreme Court and has chaired panels of justices on several high-profile cases.
He was appointed in 2015 by the then-President John Dramani Mahama administration upon the recommendation of the Judicial Council.
He was a private legal practitioner and managing partner at Pwamang and Associates.
Her Ladyship Justice Avril Lovelace-Johnson
Justice Avril Lovelace-Johnson hails from Mankessim in the Central Region.
She is an alumnus of both Wesley Girls’ High School and Aburi Girls’ Senior High School and began her legal career as an Assistant State Attorney.
She joined the bench in 1994 and steadily rose through the ranks, becoming a High Court judge in 2002 and a Justice of the Court of Appeal in 2012.
Her judicial experience extends beyond Ghana; she has also served on the bench in The Gambia and held key leadership roles in judicial administration and legal advocacy.
His Lordship Justice Emmanuel Yonny Kulendi
Justice Emmanuel Yonny Kulendi earned his LLB from the University of Ghana and was called to the Bar in 1994.
He holds a Master’s degree in International Security and Civil-Military Relations from the Naval Postgraduate School in California, USA.
Following his national service at the Legal Aid Board, he undertook his pupillage at Akufo-Addo, Prempeh & Co. Chambers.
In March 2020, President Nana Akufo-Addo nominated him to the Supreme Court, making him the first Justice from the Upper West Region to serve on Ghana’s highest court.
His Lordship Justice Issifu Omoro Tanko Amadu
Justice Issifu Omoro Tanko Amadu began his education in Dodowa before pursuing a law degree at the University of Ghana.
He then pursued professional training at the Ghana School of Law.
His legal career spans both Ghana and Nigeria, where he practiced for 19 years and eventually established his own law firm.
He joined the Ghanaian judiciary in 2008 and was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2020 by President Nana Akufo-Addo.
His Lordship Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s education journey began in Goaso and continued at Konongo Odumase Secondary School.
He studied law at the University of Ghana and the Ghana School of Law.
As a seasoned member of the judiciary, he was part of the Supreme Court panel that ruled on the landmark 2012 election petition, which rejected attempts to annul millions of votes.
His extensive judicial experience makes him a notable candidate.
Meanwhile, as the legal and political drama unfolds, the final decision on who will lead the judiciary may rest on both constitutional interpretation and political consensus.
VKB/EB
