The nomination of Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo as Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana has been referred to the Appointments Committee of Parliament.
The Committee is expected to schedule a date for the vetting of the nominee.
First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei Owusu, made the referral after the House was officially informed of the nomination by a letter from President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
According to the letter, Chief Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah is due to retire from the bench on 24th May, 2023, his seventieth birthday.
And to avoid a vacuum in the office of Chief Justice following his retirement, the President decided to initiate the process for the appointment of his successor.
The letter said, “To that end, by letter, dated 25th April, 2023, pursuant to Article 144 (1) of the Constitution, I consulted with the
Council of State on my nominee, Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, Justice of the Supreme Court, who has been on the Supreme
Court for the last four (4) years, and has been a member of the Judiciary for the last nineteen (19) years, to succeed Chief Justice Anin Yeboah.”
“The Council of State has notified me by letter under the hand of its Chairperson, dated 28th April, 2023, of the successful completion of the consultation process.”
“Thus, in accordance with Article 144 (1) of the Constitution, I write to inform you that I have nominated Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, Justice of the Supreme Court, for approval by Parliament, as the next Chief Justice.”
“I enclose a copy of her curriculum vitae for your attention. I am fully satisfied that Justice Torkornoo is duly qualified and eminently fit to occupy the office of Chief Justice.”