34 Facts About Gertrude Torkornoo

Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo was born on on 11 September 1962 and is the current Chief Justice of the republic of Ghana.

Gertrude Torkornoo was nominated to the Supreme Court in November 2019 and received parliamentary approval in December 2019.

Gertrude Torkornoo was nominated to the office of Chief Justice in April 2023 to replace Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah who retired as Chief Justice on 24 May 2023.

Gertrude Torkornoo was sworn into office as the 15th Chief Justice of Ghana on 12 June 2023.

Gertrude Torkornoo was born on 11 September 1962 in Cape Coast to Abraham Kofi Sackey and Comfort Aba Sackey, who were both teachers at the time.

Gertrude Torkornoo attended Suhum Presby Primary School in 1966 and continued to Ajumako Catholic School in 1969, where she completed her primary education.

Gertrude Torkornoo continued at Achimota School from 1978 to 1980 for her advanced level certificate.

Gertrude Torkornoo gained a B A in Law and Sociology at University of Ghana in 1984 and graduated from the Ghana School of Law in 1986.

Gertrude Torkornoo did an internship with Nabarro Nathanson in London.

Gertrude Torkornoo worked as a High Court judge until October 2012 when she was elevated to the Court of Appeal.

Gertrude Torkornoo was nominated to the Supreme Court of Ghana in November 2019.

Gertrude Torkornoo served as the Supervising Judge of commercial courts since 2013 where she set the agenda for and chaired the meetings and programs of the Users Committee of the Commercial Courts.

Gertrude Torkornoo presided over the implementation of the Business Environment Engineering Project funded by the Department for International Development of the United Kingdom.

Gertrude Torkornoo serves as chair of the Technical Working Group on 'Enforcing Contracts' set up to steer change in the business law environment.

Gertrude Torkornoo served as member of the faculty and Governing Board of the Judicial Training Institute, vice chair of the Internship and Clerkship Committee of the Judiciary since 2012, member and chair of the E-Judgment Committee since 2010, member and chair of the Publications and Editorial Committee of the Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana since 2006.

Gertrude Torkornoo has been a member of the Law Reform Commission since 2016.

Gertrude Torkornoo was part of the seven-member panel that heard the 2020 election petition by John Mahama against The Electoral Commission of Ghana and Nana Akufo-Addo.

Gertrude Torkornoo emphasised the importance of consolidating existing reforms before implementing further changes.

Gertrude Torkornoo advocated for the establishment of restrictive timelines for certain court processes to prevent abuse by litigants.

Gertrude Torkornoo emphasised the need for institutions to assess and establish similar guidelines regarding the acceptance of gifts.

Also, Gertrude Torkornoo advocated for a national conversation on corruption, highlighting its broader societal impact beyond the judiciary, and emphasising the need for a comprehensive approach to address the issue.

Gertrude Torkornoo was then presented with her instruments of office by the President.

Gertrude Torkornoo emphasised that equality before the law should be upheld, and anyone who violates the law should face appropriate consequences.

Gertrude Torkornoo noted that the Supreme Court's jurisdiction covers a wide range of legal matters, including constitutional interpretation and enforcement, civil and criminal law breaches, and safeguarding individual liberties and human rights.

In light of the impending retirement of the then Chief Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah on 24 May 2023, Gertrude Torkornoo was nominated for the position of Chief Justice of Ghana by President Nana Akufo-Addo on 26 April 2023.

Akufo-Addo's decision to nominate Gertrude Torkornoo was made in consultation with the Judicial Council of Ghana and the Attorney General to ensure a seamless transition and avoid any vacancy in the Chief Justice role.

Akufo-Addo, in a letter addressed to the Council of State, stated that Gertrude Torkornoo has served on the Supreme Court for the past four years and has a total of nineteen years of experience in the judiciary, making her well-qualified for the responsibilities of the Chief Justice.

Gertrude Torkornoo was vetted by the Appointments Committee of Ghana on 26 May 2023 and approved by Parliament on Wednesday 7 June 2023.

Parliament, through consensus, granted prior approval for Gertrude Torkornoo to assume the role of Chief Justice.

Gertrude Torkornoo pledged to interpret the law impartially and without bias if officially appointed as Chief Justice.

Gertrude Torkornoo was sworn into office as the 15th Chief Justice of Ghana on 12 June 2023, by President Nana Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House.

Gertrude Torkornoo highlighted her 19 years of experience and anticipated that it would greatly contribute to her role as the Chief Justice.

Gertrude Torkornoo became Ghana's third female Chief Justice, following Georgina Theodora Wood and Sophia Akuffo.

On 22 April 2025, Gertrude Torkornoo was suspended as Chief Justice by President John Mahama, citing a preliminary investigation that found sufficient grounds for an inquiry into her conduct in consultation with the Council of State as provided for by Article 146 of the 1992 constitution.