President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo Nominates Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo As The 15th Chief Justice Of Ghana
Story by: Samuel K.Owusu
H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, nominated Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo (JSC) as the new 15th Chief Justice of Ghana. Her nomination came after the retirement of the 14th Chief Justice, Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah (JSC), who had served in that capacity since December 2020. 
According to Article 144 (1) of the 1992 Constitution, which outlines the process for appointing a Chief Justice, the President is obliged to consult with the Council of State before seeking the approval of Parliament.
The experienced and affable Justice of the apex court of the land, Justice Anim Yeboah (JSC) was sworn into office on the 7th of January, 2020. He succeeded Her Ladyship, Justice Sophia A. B. Akuffo, whose tenure ended on December 20, 2019, after serving as Chief Justice for two and a half years.
If confirmed by Parliament, Justice Torkornoo will become the third female Chief Justice in Ghana’s history. The new Chief Justice will swear three Oaths; the Oath of Allegiance, the Judicial Oath and the Oath of Secrecy, and it will be administered by the President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House, the seat of government.
Justice Torkornoo is a highly respected judge with over 17 years of experience on the bench in Ghana. She was appointed as a Justice of the Supreme Court in November 2019, and her nomination was confirmed by Parliament the following month. She was sworn in as a Supreme Court Judge on December 17, 2019
Justice Torkornoo has played a key role in several high-profile cases in Ghana. One of the most notable cases she presided over was the landmark Achimota School case in which two Rastafarian students were initially denied admission to the school due to their dreadlocked hair. Justice Torkornoo was one of the judges who ruled in favour of the students, stating that the school’s decision was discriminatory and violated the students’ fundamental rights.
Justice Torkornoo hails from Winneba in the Central Region of Ghana. She is a proud alumna of Wesley Girls' High School in Cape Coast, Ghana, obtaining her Ordinary Certificate Level. She went to Achimota School for her Advanced Level Certificate. She obtained her LLB degree from the University of Ghana in 1988 and was called to the Ghana Bar in 1990. She went on to earn an LLM degree in International Human Rights Law from the University of Essex in the UK.
Justice Torkornoo has attended numerous international conferences and workshops on human rights and international law. She is a member of the International Association of Women Judges and has served on several committees and commissions in Ghana. She is also an adjunct lecturer at the GIMPA Law School and has mentored several young lawyers throughout her career.
If confirmed as the Chief Justice, Justice Torkornoo will be the third woman to hold that position in Ghana’s history, following in the footsteps of Her Ladyship Justice Georgina Theodora Wood and who served as Chief Justice from 2007 to 201 and Her Ladyship, Justice Sophia A. B. Akuffo, whose tenure ended on December 20, 2019, after serving as Chief Justice for two and a half years. Her nomination has been widely welcomed by members of the legal community and civil society in Ghana.
In conclusion, Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo’s nomination as the new Chief Justice of Ghana is a testament to her years of hard work, dedication, and service to the Ghanaian judiciary. Her vast experience on the bench and her reputation for fairness and integrity make her a strong candidate for the position. If confirmed, she will have the opportunity to make significant contributions to the development of Ghana’s legal system and the protection of the rights and freedoms of its citizens
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