Akufo-Addo nominates Justice Gertrude Torkornoo as the new Chief Justice.

Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo, JSC, has been proposed by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for consideration by the Council of State to serve as the next Chief Justice.

On Tuesday, April 25, President Akufo-Addo sent a letter to the Council of State to begin finding a replacement for Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah.

On May 24, when he turns 70, Justice Anin-Yeboah, who succeeded Sophia Akuffo, is scheduled to begin his retirement.

In a letter to Nana Otuo Siriboe II, the head of the Council of State, the President stated, “I have decided to begin the appointment process now to avoid a vacuum and ensure that a new Chief Justice is immediately in office after his retirement.”

The President must first consult with the Council of State before writing to Parliament to request ratification of the nominee, according to Article 144(1) of the Constitution of 1992.

Justice Torkornoo is “duly qualified” and “eminently fit” to serve as Ghana’s Chief Justice, according to President Akufo-Addo.

“I am delighted that Justice Torkornoo, who has been a member of the Judiciary for the last nineteen (19) years and has served on the Supreme Court for the last four (4) years, is duly qualified and eminently fit to discharge the functions of Chief Justice,” he stated in his letter.

Since taking office, President Akufo-Addo has been nominated for the high position three times. Justice Sophia Akuffo, Justice Anin-Yeboah, and now Justice Torkornoo were all appointed by him.

If accepted, Justice Torkornoo will become the third woman to serve as chief of the judicial branch of the executive.

Source: 3News