A new nationwide survey by Global Info Analytics has found that a majority of Ghanaians approve of the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo by President John Mahama, amid ongoing investigations into petitions against her.
Key findings from the poll, nearly one month after the suspension, show 53% of voters support her suspension, while 20% oppose it. 12% of voters were neutral, and 15% did not have an opinion.
Again, when voters who opposed the suspension, were neutral or did not have an opinion were further asked to indicate their level of support or opposition for her removal if there is evidence that the Chief Justice has acted unlawfully, only 20% would now support her removal, now down from 30% in April.
However, 33% will still not support her removal, also down from 35% in April. 20% were neutral, up from 19% in April, while 27% still did not have an opinion, up from 16% in April.
The majority of voters in all the regions support the suspension except the North East and Northern.
On party lines, the majority of voters across all party divides support the suspension, except NPP voters.
The poll shows only 13% of NPP voters support the suspension, while 87% of NDC voters support it.
For floating voters, 54% support it, while 58% of other parties support back the suspension and 37% among those who do not disclose their party affiliations.
For those who oppose the suspension, 51% were NPP voters, 2% were NDC, 9% were floating voters, 2% other parties and 9% of those who do not disclose their party affiliation.
The poll, conducted between May 2, 2025, and May 19, 2025, sampled 2558 voters from 2024 across all 16 regions randomly, with a margin of error of ±2.51%.
Background
President John Mahama suspended the Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, on April 22 after a prima facie case was established against the country’s fourth-highest official following three petitions to remove her from office.
The president also constituted a five-member committee to investigate petitions against the top judicial official.
The move, announced in a statement from the Presidency, was in compliance with constitutional provisions and follows consultations with the Council of State.
The President cited Article 146(6) of the Constitution, which mandates the establishment of a committee to probe allegations against a superior court judge if a prima facie case is established.
According to the statement, President Mahama determined that sufficient grounds exist to warrant further inquiry.
Source: myjoyonline
