Parliament has by consensus given prior approval to the President’s nominee Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo as Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana.

Presenting the report of the Appointments Committee to the House, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Joseph Osei Owusu noted that, the nominee showed character, competence and dexterity in the knowledge of law and pledged to interpret the law without fear or favour if approved as the Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana.

Pursuant to the provisions in Article 144(1) of the 1992 Constitution and Standing Order 172 (2), the Appointments Committee considered H.E. the President’s nomination of Justice Gertrude Torkornoo as Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana and answered various questions relating to her new position as the Chief Justice when approved.

The nominee also answered questions on the payment of emoluments to Judges, the Ghana School of law, the demolition of Judges’ Bungalows, custodial sentencing and many others.

Prior to her approval on the floor, the Members of Parliament from both sides of the House debated the report of the Appointments Committee.

Most of the MPs who contributed to the motion were in favour of the Committee’s recommendation and subsequently voted for her approval.

The House is expected to communicate the approval of the nominee to the President for onward swearing –in as the Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana.

Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo will take over as Ghana’s 15th chief justice following the retirement of Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah after serving for three years.

Justice Torkornoo will be the third woman to serve in the high office, following in the steps of Georgina Theodora Wood (2007 – 2017) and Sophia Akuffo (2017 – 2019).

Sompaonline.com/Nana Yaw Boamah