By The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Edudzi Tameklo, has sharply criticized the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) for its recent resolution to reinstate Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, calling the move “of no use” and constitutionally baseless. Tameklo’s remarks, made during an interview on TV3’s New Day program on Monday, April 28, 2025, come amid heightened tensions over the judiciary’s independence following Torkornoo’s historic suspension by President John Mahama.
The GBA, at its mid-year conference held at Labadi Beach Hotel on April 26, passed a resolution urging Mahama to revoke Torkornoo’s suspension. The Chief Justice was suspended on April 22, 2025, following three undisclosed petitions calling for her permanent removal, marking the first such action against a sitting Chief Justice in Ghana’s history. GBA members expressed dissatisfaction with the petitions, the determination of a prima facie case, and the association’s initial statement on the matter, dated April 24. They also called for a constitutional instrument to guide the process of removing judges, highlighting concerns over procedural clarity and judicial autonomy.
However, Tameklo, who also serves as the Director of Legal Affairs, defended the President’s actions as being in strict adherence to Ghana’s 1992 Constitution. “This so-called resolution is of no use. In fact, I won’t say it is useless, but it’s of no moment. It has nothing to do as far as President Mahama is concerned,” he stated. He emphasized that Mahama’s conduct in upholding the constitutional process is “without blame,” arguing that the GBA’s demand for revocation lacks legal grounding.
Tameklo further cautioned that yielding to the GBA’s request would place the President in a precarious position. “They want President Mahama to revoke or suspend the suspension, by what authority? You want President Mahama to do what the constitution does not say?” he questioned. He warned that such a move could lead the GBA to accuse Mahama of violating his presidential oath, potentially triggering impeachment proceedings. “The same Ghana Bar will now say that you have disobeyed the constitution contrary to the Presidential oath you have taken, and for that matter, we are bringing an impeachment process against you,” Tameklo added.
The suspension of Chief Justice Torkornoo has reignited debates about the balance of power in Ghana’s governance structure. According to the BBC, chief justices in Ghana enjoy security of tenure and can only be removed on specific grounds, such as incompetence or misbehavior. The content of the petitions against Torkornoo remains undisclosed, and she has yet to publicly comment on the matter. A five-member committee is currently investigating the allegations, with Torkornoo expected to respond before a final decision is made on her removal.
This controversy follows a history of tensions between Ghana’s executive and judiciary. Web sources indicate that Mahama and his National Democratic Congress (NDC) had previously accused former President Nana Akufo-Addo of judicial manipulation before the 2024 elections. Ghana’s constitution, which grants the presidency significant influence over appointments, including those in the judiciary and independent bodies like the Electoral Commission, has long been criticized for undermining the separation of powers. The Institute for Security Studies (ISS Africa) notes that Mahama’s strong electoral mandate in 2024 presents an opportunity for constitutional reform, a challenge that has persisted since Ghana’s return to democracy in 1992.
The GBA’s resolution also reflects broader discontent within the legal community. Members criticized the association’s leadership for its initial statement on the suspension, which they felt was issued without full details of the petitions. Meanwhile, Tameklo has questioned the transparency of the process, alleging in a separate panel discussion on TV3 that the Minority in Parliament, led by Annoh Dompreh, may have had access to leaked petition details. “Who leaked it to them and to the Minority? Who told them?” he asked, as reported by Ghanamma.com on April 20, 2025.
Public reaction has been mixed. A user on X, @JackB_87, commented on TV3’s post, warning that such actions could taint Mahama’s legacy before his term ends in 2029, stating, “The arrogance of some of you will give John Mahama a bad legacy before he leaves power in 2029.” Others see the suspension as a necessary step to ensure accountability within the judiciary, while critics, including Ghana’s former attorney general, have labeled it an attempt to undermine judicial independence.
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