Private legal practitioner, Lawyer Ernest Akosah, has shed light on the constitutional basis for the removal of a Chief Justice in Ghana. Speaking in an interview with Home Base Television on September 2, 2021, he explained that Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution provides the framework for addressing misconduct involving judges of the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court.
According to him, petitions can be filed against a judge when there is credible evidence of misconduct or breach of the judicial code of conduct. Such petitions are submitted to the Council of State, which determines whether there are sufficient grounds for investigation. If established, the President is constitutionally mandated to set up a committee to probe the matter.
Lawyer Akosah emphasized that in the case of the former Chief Justice, due process was followed as required by Article 146. The accused was questioned, investigated, and the committee’s findings were submitted to the President, leading to the removal.
The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), led by National President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has officially sworn in its newly elected Ashanti Regional executives at a ceremony in Kumasi on September 4.
The New executives
Kofi Adu Domfeh was elected Ashanti Regional Chairman in a rerun held on Friday, August 22, securing 20 out of 31 valid votes cast. His opponent, Georgina Ama Ankomah, polled 11 votes. No ballots were rejected.
GJA President, Ashanti Regional Minister ,Former BMC chairman and the new Executives
The re-run was ordered by the GJA Elections Dispute Adjudication Committee (EDAC) after the June 30, 2025, elections were annulled due to irregularities, including a breach of the association’s constitutional provisions and issues of voter eligibility.
The Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association (PRINPAG) has sworn in its new executive council, with a renewed focus on professionalism, integrity, and member welfare. At the swearing-in ceremony, Deputy Minister for Government Communication, Honourable Shamima Muslim, challenged the new leadership to prioritize professionalism as a means of protecting Ghana’s democracy.
In her address, the Deputy Minister emphasized the media’s crucial role in safeguarding the nation’s freedom and upholding good governance. She called on the media to engage in “constructive criticism that pushes and advances our country’s development” instead of merely pointing out faults.
A New Era for PRINPAG
Mr. Jeorge Wilson Kingsley, the Executive Secretary of PRINPAG, welcomed attendees, stating that the leadership transition was not just a ritual but a testament to the association’s democratic spirit, unity, and resilience. He stressed that leadership cannot thrive in isolation and requires the active participation and support of members to succeed. “As an Association, we remain steadfast in our mission—to protect press freedom, uphold professionalism and critical standards, advance the welfare of our members, and serve the broader public interest,” he said.
Echoing this sentiment, the President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr. Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, urged the new PRINPAG leadership to champion the welfare of journalists and pledged the GJA’s full support.
President Tamakloe’s Bold Vision
The newly sworn-in PRINPAG President, Mr. David Sitsofe Tamakloe, pledged sweeping reforms to restore the visibility, credibility, and sustainability of Ghana’s private print and online media. He delivered a passionate inaugural address, declaring, “advertising is not charity; it is a value exchange.” He promised to position PRINPAG members as professional partners rather than beggars in the media business ecosystem.
Mr. Tamakloe also announced bold initiatives to combat the invisibility of many member newspapers by making strategic investments in digital tools and platforms. He rejected “degrading chicken change (Soli) handouts” and called on journalists to prioritize dignity and professionalism over sensationalism and popularity.
To improve member welfare, he announced the launch of the PRINPAG Foundation, a dedicated fund to support members and their families in times of need. He also unveiled his personal commitment to a “Path to Reading” initiative to revive a culture of reading.
These initiatives, he stated, will be anchored on four pillars: empowerment, advertising growth, visibility, and integrity.
The new PRINPAG executive council is led by Mr. David Setsofe Tamakloe as President. The other members are Michael Antwi (Vice President), Prince Kaunda (Organizing Secretary), Opare Djan (Public Relations and External Affairs Officer), and Naana Aklerh Kubi I (Financial Secretary and Treasurer).
The Member of Parliament for Bantama and former Roads and Highways Minister, Francis Asenso-Boakye, has described President John Dramani Mahama’s removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo as a “grave threat” to Ghana’s democracy.
He argued that the move undermines judicial independence and weakens the very foundation of the Republic.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, September 2, Mr Asenso-Boakye said the sacking was not accidental but a carefully orchestrated plan by the government.
Francis Asenso-Boakye Prez.John Mahama CJ Gertrude Torkonoo
“President Mahama’s sacking of the Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo is no accident, it was a long-planned scheme, executed with precision. This reckless move shatters judicial independence and strikes at the heart of our democracy,” he wrote.
The Bantama MP further warned that removing a Chief Justice on what he called “flimsy grounds” sets a dangerous precedent that could discourage judges from upholding the Constitution.
“If a Chief Justice can be removed on flimsy grounds, tomorrow no judge will feel safe to uphold the Constitution. This is not just an attack on one individual, it is an assault on the very foundation of our Republic,” he cautioned.
Mr Asenso-Boakye concluded by calling on Ghanaians to resist any attempts to weaken the country’s democratic institutions.
“Ghana has come too far to let the Rule of Law be hijacked. We must resist every attempt to weaken our institutions. Ghana deserves better,” he stressed.Source: Ernest K. Arhinful
President John Dramani Mahama on Monday, September 1st, relieved Chief Justice Gertrude Esaaba Torkornoo of her duties.
“President John Dramani Mahama has, in accordance with Article 146(9) of the 1992 Constitution, removed the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkonoo, from office with immediate effect. This follows receipt of the report of the Committee constituted under Article 146(6) to inquire into a petition submitted by a Ghanaian citizen, Mr Daniel Ofori. After considering the petition and the evidence, the Committee found that the grounds of stated misbehaviour under Article 146(1) had been established and recommended her removal from office.
John Dramani Mahama during the swearing-in ceremony led by Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkonoo
Under Article 146(9), the President is required to act in accordance with the committee’s recommendation,” a statement issued by the Minister of Government Communications said.
A letter signed by the Secretary to the President, Calistus Mahama, outlined the reasons behind the decision. The investigative committee found that the former Chief Justice authorized the payment of per diem allowances to her husband and daughter during official travels, actions deemed to be in violation of legal and administrative protocols of the Judicial Service.
The committee’s report detailed two specific trips taken by Justice Torkornoo in September 2023: one to Tanzania with her husband, and another to the United States with her daughter. According to the report, both trips were personal holidays, yet expenses, including per diem payments for her family members, were charged to the Judicial Service.
“In the opinion of the committee, the travel expenses which the Chief Justice heaped on the Judicial Service… together with the payment of per diem to her husband and daughter, constitute unlawful expenditure of public funds. It cannot be justified in law or policy,” the letter stated.
The report described the expenditure as “avoidable and reckless dissipation of public funds” and concluded that such conduct, coming from the head of the Judiciary, amounted to “stated misbehaviour.Source : Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
Former Constituency Chairman for Afigya Kwabre South on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party, Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, has admonished female journalists to use their media platforms to promote peace and unity.
He stated that irrespective of one’s jurisdiction, if one region or community was in conflict, it has rippling effect in another community or region.
COKA in a group photograph with participants
To this end, female journalists should endeavour to be peace ambassadors.
Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, affectionately called COKA, stated this in his maiden interaction with some selected female Show Hosts, Producers, Reporters and Editors in the Ashanti on Saturday 30th August.
The participants
COKA reiterated the significant role of women in development hence his deliberate effort in increasing women in appointed positions during his term as Constituency Chairman.
Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah aka and Ms.Beatrice Spio Gabarah,the newly elected Ashanti Regional GJA Secretary
On engaging the female journalists, COKA noted the role females are playing in the media landscape, however in most situations, political figures only interact with their male colleagues.
He was optimistic such meeting with the females in the Journalism profession was timely to serve as motivation to the females that their work in the media industry was appreciated.
To those who were not members of the Ghana Journalists Association, he encouraged them to register as joining professional groups was necessary in shaping the work they do and also to get assistance from such professional associations in times of need.
A Kumasi-based radio presenter with Wontumi FM, Emmanuel Kwakye Asare, has been granted bail after spending two weeks in police custody.
Arrested on August 12, 2025, Asare faces one count of offensive conduct over allegations of publishing false news intended to cause fear and panic.
The court granted him bail in the sum of GH₵100,000 with two sureties, both of whom must be civil servants. His lawyers are currently finalising the bail conditions.
Emmanuel Kwakye Asare
The journalist is scheduled to reappear before the court on September 1, 2025.
The charge stems from a claim he made on his programme, alleging that President John Dramani Mahama had prior knowledge of the August 6, 2025, helicopter crash that killed eight people.
The prosecution opposed bail, citing ongoing investigations. However, Presiding Judge Samuel Bright Acquah noted there was no basis to deny bail, referencing a past case in which an individual was remanded for insulting then-President Akufo-Addo.Source: Myjoyonline
A Political Science Analyst, Dr. Frank Aduhene, has once again descended heavily on the former running mate to Dr. Bawumia, Hon. Mathew Opoku Prempeh, aka Napo, for allegedly trying to blackmail his way into the position again.
Dr. Aduhene asserts that the latest revelations by the former Energy Minister to the effect that Dr. Bawumia chose him, despite opposition from several bigwigs of the party is an attempt to blackmail the former President into selecting him again should he get the nod in the upcoming presidential primaries.
Dr. Napo in an explosive interview on Tuesday alleged that several persons were against his selection and made strenuous efforts to discourage Dr. Bawumia from naming him as the running mate.
According to Dr. Napo though he cannot predict whether he will be named again or not, he prayed that the Almighty God will give divine direction to Dr. Alhaji Mahamadu Bawumia to consider him again for the 2028 elections.
But the Political Analyst says the action revelations by Dr. Napo is not only politically immature, but also a betrayal of trust and blackmailing.
“How can you put the former Vice President in such an uncomfortable position and still claim you support him. Even if he told you some people were against your nomination did you have to make such information public? Are you trying to create enmity or blackmail so that in the event that you’re not selected again, you will say that some people were behind it” Dr. Aduhene queried.
According to him, it will be politically suicidal for Dr. Bawumia to select Napo again as his running mate, stressing that all his actions and utterances have proven he is not fit for the position.
“Maybe Napo has proven all those who were against his selection right; the evidence is clearly there to see that his selection did nothing to help the NPP” ,he emphasized.
The Political Analyst further observed that from Dr. Napo’s own assertion, it will be shocking for any divine intervention to favour him as the preferred choice for the running mate position again.
The Oti Regional Minister, John Kwadwo Gyapong, has revealed that the surge in typhoid cases in the region has claimed the lives of key figures, including a traditional leader and a former Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Dambai.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Midday News on Tuesday, August 26, Mr Gyapong described the situation in the regional capital as “bad” and “scary,” warning that the disease is spreading rapidly and taking lives.
“Just to even mention what happened to us yesterday, (Monday, August 25), one of our chiefs, Asafoatse of Dambai Traditional Council, we lost him because of typhoid. So many people have lost their lives. As for politicians, most of them even died. The former Chief Executive of Dambai died out of typhoid,” he disclosed.
Oti Regional Minister, John Kwadwo Gyapong,
His revelation comes on the back of a Public Health Department report indicating that 10,233 typhoid cases have been recorded in the Oti Region since January 2025.
Mr Gyapong blamed the crisis on the absence of a hospital in the regional capital and poor sanitation practices, particularly along the Oti Lake.
Health officials say two out of every twenty residents in the region have been affected by the disease, prompting calls for urgent intervention to improve sanitation and healthcare access.
More than 20 Ghanaian journalists have been trained to investigate and report more responsibly on youth migration, as the African Leaders Network for Democracy, Emergence and Renewal (Réseau‑LEADER) pressed the media to dismantle misleading narratives that push young Africans into dangerous journeys abroad.
The training session, held in Accra on August 22, 2025, formed part of a broader Réseau‑LEADER campaign under the theme “The Role of the Media in Addressing the Illusions and Realities of African Youth Migration.” Participants were taken through statistics on African youth migration and briefed on the specific role journalists can play in countering deceptive recruitment schemes, misinformation and exploitative networks.
“Every day, thousands of African youths are lured by embellished narratives of success in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and elsewhere,” said Nana Bafour Odefour Boamah Darko, Mawerehene of Akyem Adadientam. “Journalists must expose the lies behind these supposed success stories rather than only reporting the ill treatment migrants face after they leave.”
Réseau‑LEADER pointed to several troubling examples that organisers say require urgent journalistic scrutiny. The network highlighted the “Alabuga Start” case in Russia, where young African women were reportedly recruited under the pretext of training and later alleged to have faced exploitation. Officials at the session urged reporters to pursue investigative work to clarify unresolved “grey areas” around the programme.
Speakers also revisited long‑standing concerns about the kafala sponsorship system in parts of the Middle East, where domestic workers—many from African countries—have faced passport confiscation, unpaid wages, poor living conditions and physical or psychological abuse. Similar patterns were reported in parts of Asia, where trainees and technical workers have reportedly been pushed into conditions close to forced labour and left largely invisible to local authorities.
Dr Jean Emmanuel, chairperson of Réseau‑LEADER, called on young people to temper migration hopes with realistic planning. “Success is not achieved overnight,” he said. “If the youth’s goal is to make it big by travelling to some Western countries, they may be putting their lives at risk.”
The group released the Accra Declaration on the Role of the Media in Addressing the Illusions and Realities of African Youth Migration, urging newsrooms to investigate and expose false narratives, dedicate airtime and digital platforms to awareness‑raising, and collaborate with community leaders to carry clear, locally relevant messages into rural areas.
The declaration also called on governments to probe dubious recruitment programmes, urged media to amplify survivors’ testimonies, and recommended creative, participatory campaigns to mobilise young people around safer, realistic pathways to employment and training.
Journalists who attended said they welcomed practical guidance on data‑driven reporting and cross‑border collaboration. Several newsroom representatives indicated plans to form investigative partnerships and to run local language campaigns aimed at communities most likely to be targeted by recruiters.
Réseau‑LEADER has scheduled a follow‑up session in Accra on September 22, 2025, in which media professionals, migration experts and institutional partners are expected to deepen discussions and work toward a practical roadmap for responsible migration coverage.
“Trapped migration is not only an individual tragedy; it is a collective threat to the future of our continent,” the Accra Declaration concludes. “The media must become true allies in this struggle.”
