A former Director of the Ghana School of Law, Kwaku Ansa-Asare, has criticised the process by which recent Chief Justices have been appointed, describing it as deeply flawed and disrespectful of long-standing legal tradition.
Speaking in an interview with Kweku Sintim-Misa (KSM) on Unfiltered Show that was aired on 24th October, 2025, Lawyer Ansa-Asare said former president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo “misfired” in appointing Gertrude Torkornoo as Chief Justice, arguing she was not adequately prepared for the role. He insisted that seniority within the Supreme Court should have been the guiding principle following the retirement of Chief Justice Kwesi Anin-Yeboah.
According to Ansa-Asare, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie was the most senior justice at the time, followed by Paul Amadu and Lovelace Johnson. He questioned why Justice Torkornoo, whom he said ranked much lower in seniority, was elevated to the position, calling the decision unprecedented and unacceptable under any other administration.
Ansa-Asare further accused the former Chief Justice of displaying conduct that amounted to an abuse of judicial process. He criticised what he described as attempts to challenge or discredit procedures after fully participating in them, calling such actions “infantile” and damaging to the integrity of the judiciary.
He warned that disregarding established conventions in judicial appointments risks undermining public confidence in the courts. The comments add to ongoing public debate over judicial independence, leadership and accountability within Ghana’s justice system.