Suspended Chief Justice of Ghana, Her Ladyship Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, has firmly rejected growing calls for her resignation, insisting that stepping down is neither an option nor legally permissible under the circumstances.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, June 25, 2025—her first public engagement since her suspension on April 22—Justice Torkornoo declared her intention to remain in office as she responds to ongoing investigations arising from three petitions seeking her removal.

Justice Torkornoo acknowledged receiving numerous appeals from family members, colleagues, and concerned Ghanaians—many of whom she has never met—urging her to consider resignation or voluntary retirement.

However, she said taking such a step would wrongly suggest she was evading the allegations levelled against her.

“Let me assure everyone that I do not seek to cling to a title or position,” she said.

“However, as a lawyer of 38 years, a judge for 21 years, and as someone who has dedicated her entire professional life to the rule of law, I believe I have a duty to stand and speak up for justice in this country.”

She described her current ordeal as a sobering revelation of systemic injustice, adding that it has strengthened her resolve to uphold legal and ethical principles regardless of personal discomfort.

“The situation I have been confronted with has shown me a model of injustice that I would never have thought possible had I not lived through it,” she stated.

“This is why I have decided to marshal every effort, through the law and leadership, to respond appropriately.”

Justice Torkornoo also stressed that resigning or retiring while proceedings under Article 146 of the Constitution are ongoing is not only inappropriate but legally impermissible.

“There is a Supreme Court decision that makes this very clear,” she explained.

“During the pendency of Article 146 proceedings, a judge or public officer cannot resign or retire.

The relevant case is Suit No. J6/02/2019.”