By On April 26, 2025, at 9:39 AM UTC, SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) shared a post on X highlighting a statement by Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, the Member of Parliament for Assin South, during an appearance on Asempa 94.7 FM. Rev. Ntim Fordjour defended Ghana’s suspended Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, asserting that there is nothing improper about her traveling with her family on official duties.
He argued that, as the head of an arm of government, the Chief Justice is entitled to certain privileges, drawing a comparison to the President traveling with his son and questioning why her actions should be deemed controversial.
The statement comes amid allegations detailed by Sammy Gyamfi, the National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), on April 23, 2025, as reported by Ghanaweb.com. Gyamfi accused Chief Justice Torkornoo of spending nearly GH¢260,000 on business class air tickets and approximately $30,000 in per diem allowances for her family during a private trip.
A reply to the X post by Uncle Paa Kwesi (@papakwesi_jr) at 10:03 AM UTC on April 26, 2025, specified that $10,000 was paid as a per diem to the Chief Justice’s daughter and $6,000 to her husband.
Further details were provided in an X post by Prince Osei (@piennoforever) at 9:44 AM UTC on April 26, 2025, which included an image breaking down the alleged expenses: $10,000 for Justice Torkornoo, $10,000 for her daughter Edem Sarah Amiga Torkornoo, and $6,000 for her husband Francis Torkornoo, totaling $26,000 in per diems, alongside GH¢261,890 for air tickets.
Chief Justice Torkornoo was suspended on April 22, 2025, following a determination by President John Dramani Mahama, in consultation with the Council of State, that there was a prima facie case against her based on three petitions, as stated by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Spokesperson to the President, per Ghanaweb.com. This action was taken under Article 146(6) of the Ghanaian Constitution.
In her defense, Chief Justice Torkornoo, as reported by Ghanamma.com on April 23, 2025, claimed that the travel complied with the Judicial Service’s travel policy and her appointment letter. She maintained that her spouse and daughter were entitled to travel funded by the Judicial Service and denied misappropriating GH¢261,890, likening her situation to the President or Speaker traveling with family on official duties.
Rev. Ntim Fordjour’s defense of the Chief Justice contrasts with his earlier call on April 8, 2025, reported by Adomonline.com, for a commission of inquiry into two suspicious flights allegedly linked to drug trafficking and money laundering. On April 9, 2025, the Minority in Parliament condemned an attempted arrest of Ntim Fordjour by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), calling it unlawful and politically motivated, as per Adomonline.com.
Public responses on X were mixed. At 9:44 AM UTC on April 26, 2025, GhanaGrok🇬🇭 (@Aj_Asante) labeled Ntim Fordjour a “clown” for his consistent alignment with the New Patriotic Party (NPP). At 10:04 AM UTC, One God (@A_Enochgh) questioned Ntim Fordjour’s consistency, suggesting he supports such actions when they involve the NPP but not others. At 10:10 AM UTC, ricch youngin 😈 (@NWAJAY5) remarked that the NPP lacks sensible voices since Alan Cash’s departure from the party.
1 Comment