Srem-Sai Challenges GBA on Chief Justice Suspension Demand, Calls for Legal Clarity

In a heated debate over the suspension of Ghana’s Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, Deputy Attorney-General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai has publicly criticized the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) for its recent resolution demanding the Chief Justice’s suspension be revoked. The controversy, which has gripped the nation since President John Mahama suspended Torkornoo on April 24, 2025, following undisclosed petitions, has raised questions about the balance of power and the rule of law in Ghana’s judiciary.

Dr. Srem-Sai, speaking on a radio program earlier this week, labeled the GBA’s demand as lacking a solid legal foundation, cautioning that without clear constitutional reasoning, the resolution could be perceived as a political maneuver rather than a defense of justice. He pointed to Article 146 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, which outlines the process for the removal of a Chief Justice, including the President’s authority to suspend with the advice of the Council of State.

Srem-Sai argued that the government’s actions were in line with these provisions and urged the GBA to respect ongoing court proceedings related to the matter, warning that any attempt to undermine judicial authority would be a serious concern.

The GBA, in its statement issued on April 24, 2025, had called for all parties involved in the Chief Justice’s suspension to strictly adhere to the rule of law, emphasizing the need to protect the judiciary’s independence. However, Srem-Sai countered that the association’s position appeared premature, given the sub judice nature of the case, and stressed that legal matters of this magnitude must be handled with precision, not political advocacy.

This clash has intensified an already polarized discourse around the Chief Justice’s suspension, the first of its kind since the adoption of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution. Some legal experts have echoed Srem-Sai’s concerns, arguing that the GBA’s resolution risks overstepping judicial processes, while others see the government’s stance as an attempt to deflect scrutiny over the transparency of the suspension process.

As the nation watches closely, the unfolding saga underscores the delicate interplay between Ghana’s executive, judicial, and legal institutions, with the rule of law hanging in the balance.