Suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo has alleged that she has received multiple threats urging her to resign or suffer harm, following petitions filed to remove her from office.

Speaking publicly for the first time since her suspension, Justice Torkornoo said, “I have heard on several occasions, from loved ones, persons who care, persons who may not know me beyond my public duties.

READ ALSO: VIDEO: My resignation will be an admission that this flawed process is acceptable – Suspended CJ Torkornoo

“And many who think that, since it is clear that the current proceedings seem to be carefully staged to result in my removal as Chief Justice, it would be best if I just retired or resigned, rather than subject myself to an ill-motivated process.” She added that veiled threats had been made against her safety if she failed to step down.

The Chief Justice, who addressed the nation on Wednesday, June 25, described the actions against her as part of “a political agenda to remove me and control the Judiciary,” noting widespread media commentary to that effect.

“I thank all those who have engaged in this conversation out of concern for my safety and well-being,” she said.

Dismissing suggestions that she is clinging to power, Justice Torkornoo emphasised her long service to the legal profession,

“As a lawyer of 38 years standing, a judge of 21 years standing, and Chief Justice of Ghana who has served in the rule of law all of my working life, I consider it my onerous duty and obligation to speak up concerning the administration of justice in this country.”

She said the ordeal had opened her eyes to “a model of injustice that I would never have thought possible if I had not been exposed to it,” and declared her intent “to marshal every effort, in law and leadership, to answer to this situation.”

The Chief Justice explained that under Ghana’s Constitution, judges cannot simply resign while Article 146 proceedings used to remove high office holders are underway. She referenced Supreme Court case J6/02/2019, noting: “There is a decided case on the subject… No one has the authority to walk away from proceedings started by the State.”

She warned that resigning mid-process would not only forfeit her entitlements but would also allow false claims to go unchallenged.

“A judge who resigns or retires would still lose all entitlements because they failed to defend the claims and resigned or retired while the proceedings were going on.”

“If false claims are made against a judge or any commissioner or other public office holder… the solution cannot be to resign or voluntarily retire out of frustration, pressure or fear,” she said.

“One would only find themselves being subjected to two cruelties – a judgment based on false claims, and loss of everything that one has worked for.”

Justice Torkornoo stated that any such resignation would wrongly imply that “this flawed, unknown and opaque process is acceptable. It is not.”

“The current bizarre proceedings I have brought to your attention presents a twist to our nation’s democratic journey that we ignore only at great cost, ” she stated.

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Suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has declared she would not resign from office, framing her removal process as unconstitutional and politically motivated.

Her speech in Accra marks a critical moment in Ghana’s escalating judicial crisis, as this is the first time such an address by a Chief Justice is being conducted.

Addressing the press on Wednesday, June 25, she explained that “If I resign under these circumstances, I will be saying that this flawed, unknown and opaque possesses acceptable. It is not.”

“Finally, let me respectfully say that the current bizarre proceedings that I have brought to your attention present a twist to our nation’s democratic journey that we all ignore at our own cost.”

Justice Torkornoo’s suspension on April 22, 2025, followed three petitions alleging misconduct, which President John Mahama deemed sufficient to trigger an investigation under Article 146(6) of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.

A five-member committee was formed to probe the allegations, but the process has been mired in controversy.

The suspended Chief Justice has repeatedly challenged the proceedings, filing a Supreme Court injunction to halt the committee’s work, citing violations of her rights.

According to her, Ghana has come too far “not to be concerned about the unconstitutionalities that have been designed not to affect just me personally as Chief Justice, but all judges and public officers, subject to removal processes of Article 146.

She alleges degrading treatment, including body searches, confiscation of electronic devices, and exclusion of her family from hearings held at Osu Castle, a high-security zone she called “psychological intimidation”

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has announced a 2.45% increase in electricity tariffs across all customer categories, effective 1st July 2025, as part of its quarterly review mechanism.

The tariff adjustment, which applies to residential, non-residential, and special load tariff (SLT) customers, is based on a detailed analysis of macroeconomic and operational factors, including inflation, exchange rate fluctuations, and rising fuel costs.

According to a statement issued by the Commission, the upward review is necessary to sustain utility service providers and ensure a reliable electricity supply.

The adjustment takes into account a projected average inflation rate of 20.67%, a Ghana Cedi to US Dollar exchange rate of GHS10.3052, and an increase in the weighted average cost of gas (WACoG) to USD 7.7134/MMBtu.

“The Commission has carefully analysed the existing parameters and, considering the competitiveness of industries and the general living conditions of Ghanaians, has approved a 2.45% increase in electricity tariffs across board and 0% increment in water tariffs,” the statement noted.

The third quarter’s generation mix remains unchanged, with 28.8% from hydro sources and 71.2% from thermal sources. The Commission also factored in GHS488 million in outstanding revenues from previous quarters, as well as the cost implications of maintaining reserve capacity to ensure grid stability.

Summary of Key Adjustments:

• Lifeline customers (0–30kWh): tariff increases from GHp77.63/kWh to GHp79.53/kWh
• Residential users (0–300kWh): new tariff at GHp180.19/kWh
• Non-residential users (301+kWh): adjusted to GHp202.17/kWh
• High Voltage Mines customers: now GHp508.09/kWh, up from GHp495.93

The Commission underscored that these quarterly reviews are not arbitrary but are a necessary measure to maintain the real value of tariffs in the face of economic pressures and to uphold the financial health of utility service providers.

Consumers have been urged to note the new tariffs and plan accordingly as the adjustment takes effect next month.

Meanwhile, the PURC has confirmed that water tariffs will remain unchanged for the third quarter of 2025, maintaining a 0.00% adjustment rate.

Despite pressures similar to those influencing electricity tariffs, the PURC concluded that current water rates are sustainable for now, offering relief to consumers already grappling with broader economic challenges.

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