Three leading women’s rights and gender equality coalitions in Ghana have raised alarm over the recent suspension of Chief Justice Her Ladyship Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo by President John Dramani Mahama.
In a joint press statement issued on Thursday, May 15, 2025, the Women’s Manifesto Coalition, the Domestic Violence Coalition, and the Affirmative Action Law Coalition expressed deep concern about what they described as an emerging trend of removing key public officers, particularly women, from constitutional and institutional leadership roles whenever there is a change in government.
The groups, which have collectively advocated for gender equality and inclusive governance in Ghana for nearly three decades, said the Chief Justice’s suspension has the potential to weaken public trust in democratic institutions and discourage competent women from taking up public leadership positions.
“Supporting women to high levels of decision-making positions is a major strategy of our mandate,” the statement read. “We are therefore always vigilant about how women are treated in leadership roles.”
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While acknowledging President Mahama’s commitment to following due process, as required under Article 147(6) of the Constitution, the coalitions stressed the importance of transparency and adherence to constitutional guidelines during such high-profile proceedings. They also called for national reflection on how to create an enabling environment for women in leadership.
The groups further criticized the slow implementation of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act 2024 (Act 1121), specifically highlighting the state’s failure to meet the law’s requirement of a minimum 30% representation of women in decision-making positions.
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Calling for a broader examination of the implications of the Chief Justice’s suspension, the coalitions urged government stakeholders to prioritize gender justice and uphold Ghana’s commitments under international gender equality conventions.
The joint statement was signed by Hamida Harrison (Women’s Manifesto Coalition), Adolf Awuku Bekoe (Domestic Violence Coalition), and Sheila Minkah-Premo (Affirmative Action Law Coalition).
