Editor of The NewsCenta Newspaper, Elvis Darko, has urged suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo to remain resolute and pursue her defence to the very end, describing her stance as a critical step toward exposing and resisting executive control over Ghana’s Judiciary.
Speaking during a panel discussion on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Monday, June 30, Mr. Darko lauded the Chief Justice’s refusal to resign in the face of mounting pressure and impeachment proceedings.
According to him, her resistance has sparked a national awakening to the vulnerability of the Judiciary and the urgent need to shield it from political interference.
“This is the best thing she has done so far. I’ve said from the beginning that she should never resign. What she’s doing is forcing this country to confront the truth that the Judiciary is weak and increasingly at the mercy of the Executive due to the way certain laws are crafted.”
His comments come in the wake of Justice Torkornoo’s public declaration that she will not step down, despite facing an impeachment probe triggered by multiple petitions alleging misconduct. She has been on suspension since April 22, 2025, following a prima facie determination made by President John Dramani Mahama in consultation with the Council of State, as stipulated in Article 146(10) of the 1992 Constitution.
A five-member committee was subsequently set up to investigate the allegations, with proceedings being conducted in camera.
Meanwhile, several legal attempts by the Chief Justice to halt the process, including four separate suits and applications, have been dismissed by the Supreme Court.
On June 25, Justice Torkornoo revealed that she had received threats seeking to force her resignation, but maintained she would not be intimidated into abandoning the process.
Reacting to this, Elvis Darko argued that the threats further highlight the fragility of the Judiciary.
“Whether she is removed or not, she has made it clear that the system is flawed. Judges must now understand that if they don’t fight for their independence, any government can target them.
“She must fight this till the very end, not just for herself, but for the future of Ghana’s justice system. Right now, the Judiciary is the weakest arm of government. It must be protected and insulated from executive control,” he said.
