The Bar Council of England and Wales and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association have voiced "serious concern" over the suspension of Ghana's Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude A.E.S.
Torkornoo, from office on April 22, 2025.
In a joint statement issued on August 14, the two bodies stressed the importance of judicial independence in any democracy. "The existence of an independent and impartial judiciary is one of the cardinal features and bedrock of any country governed by the rule of law," they said, noting Ghana's longstanding commitment to the principles of the Commonwealth.
They warned that "any measure or action taken by the Executive which is capable of being seen as impacting an independent judiciary is a matter of serious concern." The statement highlighted that Justice Torkornoo has filed a lawsuit at the ECOWAS Court of Justice challenging the constitutionality of her suspension, following earlier domestic challenges over procedural fairness, judicial independence, and compliance with constitutional safeguards.
