Gertrude Torkornoo

On November 12, 2019, President Nana Akufo-Addo nominated Justice Torkornoo together with Justice Mariama Owusu and Justice Lovelace-Johnson, then Appeal Court Judges. The announcement was made by the then Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, who stated that the nominations were intended to fill the vacancies left by the retirement of two female justices; Justice Vida Akoto-Bamfo and Justice Sophia Adinyira, and the impending retirement of the then Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo.[10][11]

To comply with the constitutional process, the President consulted with the Council of State by submitting the names and curricula vitae of the nominees for the Supreme Court positions. After the completion of consultations with the Council of State, the President sought the approval of Parliament for her appointment with her two other colleagues. The appointments were subject to the approval of Parliament, following the constitutional procedures outlined in Article 144 of the 1992 Constitution.[10]

Justice Gertrude Torkonoo, along with Justice Mariama Owusu and Justice Avril Lovelace-Johnson, underwent the vetting process before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Tuesday, December 10. During her vetting, Justice Torkonoo discussed various aspects of the judicial system, highlighting the introduction of the Electronic Justice (E-Justice) System as a significant reform aimed at enhancing the administration of justice. She emphasised the importance of consolidating existing reforms before implementing further changes.[11][12]

Justice Torkonoo also informed the committee about the judiciary's deployment of a monitoring and evaluation software and stressed the need for cultural and attitudinal changes in court proceedings to drive transformative improvements.[13] She advocated for the establishment of restrictive timelines for certain court processes to prevent abuse by litigants.[12]

When asked about gifts received by judges, officials, and staff that could potentially be perceived as bribes, Justice Torkonoo suggested that members of the judiciary should refrain from accepting gifts altogether, with the exception of those received from immediate family members. She emphasised the need for institutions to assess and establish similar guidelines regarding the acceptance of gifts.[12]

Also, Justice Torkornoo advocated for a national conversation on corruption, highlighting its broader societal impact beyond the judiciary, and emphasising the need for a comprehensive approach to address the issue.[14]

Following the vetting process, the Appointments Committee unanimously approved the nominations of Justice Torkonoo and her colleagues; Justice Owusu and Justice Lovelace-Johnson. The approvals were subsequently endorsed by the House of Parliament on Friday 13 December 2019.[15]

Justice Gertrude Torkonoo, together with Justice Mariama Owusu and Justice Avril Lovelace-Johnson, were sworn into office at a ceremony presided over by President Nana Akufo-Addo on Tuesday 17 December 2019. The justices, who were elevated from the Court of Appeal, took the Oath of Allegiance, the Judicial Oath, and the Oath of Secrecy. She was then presented with her instruments of office by the President.[16]

President Akufo-Addo urged her and her colleagues to uphold the law diligently and impartially, without any bias based on political, religious, or ethnic affiliations. He emphasised that equality before the law should be upheld, and anyone who violates the law should face appropriate consequences. The President highlighted the crucial role of the Judiciary, particularly the Supreme Court, in law enforcement and maintaining the principles of equality and justice.[17]

The President commended the newly appointed justices for their independence, integrity, moral character, and impartiality, which he considered deserving of their high office. He noted that the Supreme Court's jurisdiction covers a wide range of legal matters, including constitutional interpretation and enforcement, civil and criminal law breaches, and safeguarding individual liberties and human rights. President Akufo-Addo stressed the importance of sound legal knowledge, precedent, and well-reasoned judgments by Supreme Court justices, emphasising that decisions should not be based solely on lower court judgments or lack proper justification.[17]

In light of the impending retirement of the then Chief Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah on 24 May 2023, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo was nominated for the position of Chief Justice of Ghana by President Nana Akufo-Addo on 26 April 2023. The President's decision to nominate Justice Torkornoo was made in consultation with the Judicial Council of Ghana and the Attorney General to ensure a seamless transition and avoid any vacancy in the Chief Justice role.[18] President Akufo-Addo, in a letter addressed to the Council of State, stated that Justice Torkornoo has served on the Supreme Court for the past four years and has a total of nineteen years of experience in the judiciary, making her well-qualified for the responsibilities of the Chief Justice.[19][20]

The nomination of Justice Gertrude Torkornoo as the next Chief Justice was subsequently referred to the Appointments Committee of the House of Parliament for careful consideration and approval. This announcement was made by The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei-Owusu, following the official communication from the President to Parliament regarding the appointment of Justice Torkornoo as Chief Justice, succeeding Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah, who was scheduled to retire on 24 May 2023.[21][22]

Justice Torkornoo was vetted by the Appointments Committee of Ghana on 26 May 2023 and approved by Parliament on Wednesday 7 June 2023. During her vetting, Justice Torkornoo addressed questions concerning emolument payments to Judges, the Ghana School of Law, demolition of Judges' Bungalows, custodial sentencing, and other relevant topics. Following the vetting, Parliament engaged in a debate on the Appointments Committee's report.[23] Most Members of Parliament expressed their support for the committee's recommendation and subsequently voted in favour of Torkornoo's approval as Chief Justice. The Parliament, through consensus, granted prior approval for Justice Torkornoo to assume the role of Chief Justice. The Chairman of the Appointments Committee, Hon. Joseph Osei Owusu, presented the committee's report to the House, acknowledging the nominee's character, competence, and expertise in the field of law. Torkornoo also pledged to interpret the law impartially and without bias if officially appointed as Chief Justice. In accordance with Article 144(1) of the 1992 Constitution and Standing Order 172(2), the Appointments Committee thoroughly evaluated Torkornoo's nomination and addressed various questions regarding her new position as Chief Justice.[24]

Justice Gertrude Torkornoo was sworn into office as the 15th Chief Justice of Ghana on 12 June 2023, by President Nana Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House. During the swearing-in ceremony, President Akufo-Addo expressed his confidence in Justice Torkornoo's ability to lead the Judiciary, stating that her qualities made her a suitable choice for the position. He highlighted her 19 years of experience and anticipated that it would greatly contribute to her role as the Chief Justice. The President emphasized his commitment to being a dependable and trustworthy partner to ensure a harmonious working relationship between the Executive and the Judiciary, promoting the rule of law in Ghana.[4][25][26]

The event was attended by various dignitaries, including members of Parliament, government officials, legal practitioners, and representatives from different sectors of society. In her remarks, Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo pledged to introduce technology to enhance and streamline processes within the Judiciary, aiming to bring about positive changes and restore public confidence in the institution.[27] Her appointment as the Chief Justice marks a significant milestone in Ghana's history, as she becomes the third female Chief Justice following in the footsteps of Justices Georgina Theodora Wood and Sophia Akuffo.[4][25][26]