Ghana’s Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, has been suspended following three misconduct petitions, in a move that has sparked political controversy and divided public opinion.

This marks the first time in the nation’s history that a sitting chief justice has been suspended.

President John Mahama’s administration claims the suspension is necessary to allow a fair investigation.

However, opposition leaders accuse the president of interfering in the judiciary and attempting to install judges sympathetic to the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Former Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame condemned the action as “the biggest assault on the judiciary in the nation’s history,” citing procedural missteps, including the delayed delivery of the petitions to the chief justice.

Torkornoo, who was appointed in 2023 as Ghana’s third female chief justice, has not publicly responded to the allegations.

A five-member committee has been formed to investigate the claims, with two additional petitions emerging after the suspension.

The controversy has intensified the debate over judicial independence in Ghana, as the nation awaits the outcome of the investigation.

President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Madagascar on Wednesday for a two-day visit aimed at reinforcing France’s presence in the Indian Ocean.

Macron isis the first French president to visit the former colony since Jacques Chirac in 2005.

As France loses its influence in the Sahel, its leaders have been turning to east and southern Africa to strengthen ties.

Madagascar with a population of 30 million is an important French-speaking country .

Uncomfortable topics

Macron’s intinerary includes a meeting with his counterpart Andry Rajoelina, followed by agreement signings and meetings with business leaders.

Some uncomfortable discussions are also expected to take place between Macron and his host.

Antananarivo claims the resource-rich Scattered Islands which remained under French control after independence. The French presidency said that that the issue would be ‘discussed’ during the visit.

A section of the Malagasy public want Paris to surrender the islands, something France has been reluctant to do.

President Macron has however pledged to support the return of cultural artifacts stolen from the island country.

Italy launched its security plan Wednesday with hundreds of foreign delegations expected at the Vatican Saturday for Pope Francis’s funeral.

Police are patrolling the streets around the Vatican – also using drones – as well as underground stations and the stretch of the Tiber river near Via Conciliazione, the main street leading to St. Peter’s Square, which is crowded with all the pilgrims who are on their way to see Pope Francis’ body and pay their respects.

The body of Pope Francis was moved Wednesday morning to St. Peter’s Basilica for three days of public mourning for an Argentine pontiff remembered for his humble style, concern for the poor and insistent prayers for peace.

The public viewing is largely for ordinary Catholics to grieve the 88-year-old pope, who died Monday after suffering a stroke.

The basilica will be kept open until midnight on Wednesday and Thursday to allow the faithful to mourn. The public mourning period will end on Friday at 7 p.m. local time.

Cardinals met at the Vatican on Tuesday to schedule Francis’ funeral and burial, plan the conclave to elect his successor and make other decisions about running the Catholic Church.