Unveiling the Inspiring Journey: A Biography of Ghana’s Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo
Who is Justice Gertrude Torkornoo?
Gertrude Araba Esabaa Torkornoo is a prominent figure in the Ghanaian judiciary. Gertrude Torkornoo currently serves as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana and has been sworn in by President Nana Akufo-Addo as the next Chief Justice of Ghana.
When was Justice Torkornoo born?
Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo was born on September 11, 1962.
What are Justice Torkornoo’s accomplishments in the judicial service?
Gertrude Torkornoo has made significant contributions to the judicial reforms in Ghana. She has been involved in various leadership roles, including being the vice chair and chair of the E-Justice Oversight and Implementation Committee. She has also served as a member of the faculty and Governing Board of the Judicial Training Institute and played a crucial role in the development and oversight of several reform projects in collaboration with international organizations.
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What is Justice Torkornoo’s role in the commercial division of the High Court?
Justice Torkornoo has been the Supervising Judge of the Commercial Division of the High Court since 2013. In this role, she has set the agenda for the division and chaired meetings and programs of the Users Committee of the Commercial Courts. She has worked towards maintaining efficiency in the commercial division of the High Court through various leadership initiatives and policy recommendations.
What is Justice Torkornoo’s involvement in judicial training?
Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has been actively involved in judicial training as part of the faculty of the Judicial Training Institute since 2005. She has contributed to enhancing the learning of judges by teaching judicial ethics, judgment writing, case management, courtroom communication, and commercial law. She has also played a role in the development of curriculum and training resources for judges.
Has Justice Torkornoo received any awards or recognition?
Yes, Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has received several awards and recognition for her contributions to the judiciary. In 2010, she was awarded a scholarship by the International Association of Women Judges. In 2015, she received the Women of Excellence Award in Judicial Integrity, and in 2016, she became a Fellow of the Ghana Institute of Construction.
What are Justice Torkornoo’s current and previous judicial positions?
Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo was promoted to the Court of Appeal in October 2012 and to the Supreme Court in December 2019. Currently, she serves as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana, handling constitutional cases, final appeals over chieftaincy cases, supervisory jurisdiction over superior courts, final appellate jurisdiction in the judicial hierarchy, and presidential election petitions.
What administrative and support work has Justice Torkornoo been involved in?
Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has taken on various administrative roles within the judiciary. She has chaired the E-Justice Committee, overseeing the planning and implementation of automation in all levels of courts. She has also served as the Supervising Judge of the Commercial Divisions of High Courts, chaired subgroups for business regulatory reform programs, and led committees responsible for the development of electronic library resources, internship and clerkship programs, and publications.
What was Justice Torkornoo’s pre-judiciary work experience?
Prior to her career in the judiciary, Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo worked as a lawyer. She was a managing partner at Sozo Law Consult, a law firm providing consultancy services for business ventures, project planning and supervision, and advocacy in litigation, arbitration, and negotiations. She also served