Government Rejects Claims That Sophia Akuffo Resigned From Council of State Over Torkornoo Removal

The government has firmly denied suggestions that former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo stepped down from the Council of State in protest against the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, insisting that no evidence exists to support such a narrative.

Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister of State for Government Communications, said on Monday that a thorough review of Akuffo’s resignation letter revealed no reference whatsoever to Torkornoo’s departure or any dissatisfaction with the process that led to it.

“The former Chief Justice is known for being outspoken and highly principled. When she disagreed with the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme, she went on a public manifestation and demonstrated,” Mr Kwakye Ofosu said. “If she had resigned as a result of Torkornoo’s removal, she would have stated it, or she would have found some means to let you know. And so it is most unfair to ascribe motives to her when she has not communicated same.”

The minister’s comments come after weeks of speculation about the reasons behind Akuffo’s resignation from the advisory body. Her departure had triggered intense public debate, with some political commentators suggesting it was linked to the controversial exit of Justice Torkornoo from the judiciary’s top office.

The government’s earlier silence on Akuffo’s resignation had already drawn criticism from political observers, who warned that the failure to publicly acknowledge the resignation raised constitutional questions about the handling of Council of State vacancies.

Mr Kwakye Ofosu confirmed that the government is currently processing a replacement for Akuffo on the Council of State, a body that serves as the principal advisory organ to the President on matters of national importance.

The former Chief Justice’s tenure on the Council of State was marked by her willingness to speak publicly on issues she considered important. Her open opposition to the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme in 2023, which included public demonstrations, was widely regarded as evidence of her independent-minded approach to public service.

The government has urged the public and media to refrain from ascribing motives to Akuffo’s resignation in the absence of any direct communication from her confirming the speculated reasons.

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