The Minister of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has dismissed suggestions that former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo resigned from the Council of State in protest over the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.
Speaking at a Government Accountability Series in Accra on Monday, June 15, Mr. Kwakye Ofosu described the claims as speculative and unsupported by any official communication from Justice Akuffo.
He maintained that there is no evidence to suggest that her resignation was connected to the removal of Justice Torkornoo, urging the public to avoid attributing motives without factual basis.
According to him, the government carefully reviewed Justice Akuffo’s resignation letter and found no reference indicating that her decision was influenced by the removal of the former Chief Justice.
“The former Chief Justice is known for being outspoken and highly principled. When she disagreed with the DDEP, she went on a public manifestation and demonstrated. If she had resigned as a result of Torkornoo’s removal, she would have stated, or she would have found some means to let you know,” he said.
“And so it is most unfair to ascribe motives to her when she has not communicated same. Government, as a matter of record, has not received any communication from her in respect of that. She didn’t say that in her letter of resignation,” he added.
Former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo was removed from office on September 1, 2025, following a constitutional process that generated widespread public debate and differing views among legal experts, civil society organisations and political actors.
Justice Akuffo’s subsequent resignation from the Council of State has, however, fuelled public speculation, with some linking the two developments, a claim the government has now firmly rejected.