Johnson Asiedu Nketia (right) speaking on Channel One TV’s Face to Face on Tuesday, August 26, 2025
The National Chairman of Ghana’s ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has stated that the judiciary in Ghana is not under any attack contrary to what some critics have suggested.
A number of critics have in recent time suggested that actions or statements from political actors under incumbent President John Dramani Mahama amount to an attack on Ghana’s judiciary.
But speaking in an interview on Accra-based Channel One TV monitored by Africa Publicity, Mr. Asiedu Nketia, insisted Ghana’s “Judiciary is not under attack. There is a reform of state institutions.”
He added that “So if there is a problem with the judiciary, the judiciary has to be reformed to undertake its constitutional duties.”
Removal of Chief Justice
On the Channel One TV’s Face to Face program, Mr. Asiedu Nketia denied that the NDC government was seeking to remove the suspended Chief Justice of Ghana, Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo from office.
According to him, the government has not taken any action aimed at removing the Chief Justice from office.
He claimed that the Executive arm of government was rather focuses on fulfilling its constitutional duties.
Mr. Asiedu Nketia explained that “The executive has done nothing about the Removal of the Chief Justice”, adding that “If anything at all, the executive is undertaking their responsibilities as far as upholding the constitution is concerned. So, the executive, to my mind, has not done anything by itself to try and remove the Chief Justice.”
Background to Chief Justice’s Suspension
On April 22, 2025, President Mahama suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo from office following the establishment of a prima facie case based on three undisclosed petitions alleging misconduct and incompetence.
Under Article 146(6) of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, the president, after consulting the Council of State, may suspend a Supreme Court justice if a prima facie case is established and appoint a committee to investigate.
President Mahama did exactly that—forming a five-member inquiry panel chaired by Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, with other members including Justice Samuel Adibu-Asiedu, former Auditor-General Daniel Yaw Domelevo, Major Flora Bazaanura Dalugo, and Professor James Sefah-Dzisah.
