Justice Torkono appointed as new Chief Justice

President Akufo-Addo has acted immediately to find a replacement for the soon-to-retire Chief Justice Anin Yeboah. He has appointed Justice Torkono, a 60-year-old Supreme Court judge as his replacement.

A letter to the Council of State by the President described Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkono as “duly qualified” and “eminently fit” for the role.

“In order to avoid a vacuum and ensure that a new Chief Justice is immediately in office after his retirement, I have decided to begin the process of appointment now,” parts of the letter read. 

Adding, “I am fully satisfied that Justice Torkornoo, 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, is duly qualified and eminently fit to discharge the functions of Chief Justice”.

Since his assumption of office as President in 2017, the President has appointed three Chief Justices. He first appointed Sophia Abena Boafoa Akuffo who served from June 2017 to December 2019. Then came her replacement, Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah who began in December 2019 and will retire in May 2023.

Justice Torkono was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Akufo-Addo in 2019 after she had been on the bench since 2004. She is 60 years and would be able to serve in the role for the next decade when she will retire compulsorily at the age of 70.