The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Mr. Godwin Kudzo Edudzi Tameklo, has described the Ghana Bar Association’s (GBA) resolution calling for the revocation of the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo as “much ado about nothing.”
In an interview on TV3’s New Day, Mr. Tameklo emphasized that President John Dramani Mahama’s action is in accordance with the 1992 Constitution. “This so-called resolution is of no use… it has no effect as far as President Mahama is concerned,” he stated.
Mr. Tameklo further explained that President Mahama has adhered to the constitutional process without blame. “What President Mahama has done so far is to hold fidelity to the 1992 Republican Constitution, which he has sworn to protect,” he added.
He questioned the authority under which the GBA wants President Mahama to revoke the suspension. “They want President Mahama to revoke or suspend the suspension, by what authority? You want President Mahama to do what the constitution does not say?”
According to Mr. Tameklo, some members of the Bar were displeased with the tone and import of the earlier statement issued by the GBA National President and Secretary, leading to the call for a mini-conference and the subsequent resolution.
The GBA had passed a resolution at its mini-conference held on April 26, 2025, calling on President Mahama to revoke the suspension of Chief Justice Torkornoo.
However, Mr. Tameklo believes that the President’s actions are constitutional, and the GBA’s resolution is an attempt to subvert the Constitution.
In his view, if President Mahama were to revoke the suspension without constitutional backing, it could lead to further complications, including potential impeachment proceedings.
“So that the same Ghana Bar will now say that you have disobeyed the constitution contrary to the Presidential oath you have taken, and for that matter, we are bringing an impeachment process against you?”
The controversy surrounding the suspension of Chief Justice Torkornoo has sparked intense debate, with some members of the Bar calling for a constitutional instrument to guide the processes for the removal of judges.