Central Region: A Concerned Women's Advocacy Group in the Central Region has called on President John Dramani Mahama and the Council of State to immediately stop any actions aimed at removing Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo from office.
According to Ghana News Agency, the group expressed their respect for the democratic processes outlined in the 1992 Constitution and clarified that they do not oppose any citizen's right to pursue lawful procedures. However, they emphasized that such actions must align with constitutional principles and broader national interests, warning that these efforts might be driven by narrow, self-serving interests rather than the public good.
At a press conference on Monday, Miss Vivian Gassor, the group's spokesperson, urged all Ghanaians to support their call to halt the process, which they believe is not in the interest of Ghana and could lead to polarization and division. The group encouraged women and women's organizations to stand up against what they described as a 'creeping cloud of darkness' threatening the progress made thus far.
Miss Gassor appealed to the Council of State, highlighting their rich life experiences and historical insight, to step in and prevent the removal process as it might not heal and unite the nation. She underscored the ongoing challenges in advancing women's empowerment, particularly in leadership roles within the public sphere, and celebrated the election of a woman to the second-highest office in the country as a significant step forward for gender equality.
She noted that while progress has been made, there is still room for improvement, and they remain optimistic about achieving greater representation of women in decision-making positions. She emphasized that inclusive societies develop more rapidly by harnessing the talents of all citizens and warned that such actions could undermine national unity and derail progress made under the current administration.
Meanwhile, Chief Justice Torkornoo has submitted her response to petitions filed by three individuals on February 14 and March 17, 2025, requesting her removal from office. The 10-day period for her response expired on Monday, April 7, 2025. The presidency announced that it had received and forwarded the petitions to the Council of State for consultation, in line with Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, which governs the processes for the removal of Justices of the Superior Courts and similar positions.