The Netherlands Alumni Association of Ghana (NAAG), has paid a courtesy call on Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo following her elevation to the high office of the Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana.
Representatives of NAAG who were received by the Chief Justice in her office in Accra, used the short but colourful occasion to congratulate her as a member of the Association.
NAAG is an Association of intellectuals who received some form of formal education in the Netherlands.
The groups also conferred with Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo in which a number of issues of national importance were discussed.
The Association presented to her a nicely crafted glass plaque to honour her.
“On behalf of the Netherlands Alumni Association of Ghana (NAAG), I congratulate your Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo on this great feat of occupying the fourth highest position in Ghana,” President of NAAG, George Ofori-Atta remarked.
“…you have earned this seat. Your academic credentials, your judicial experience and your legal acumen prove that you are eminently qualified for this position. We believe that it is these qualifications that led to your nomination and ultimate confirmation by the legislature.
“On your well-deserved appointment as the Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana, The Netherlands Alumni Association of Ghana (NAAG), of which you a member, is proud of your achievement.”
The Association called for God’s blessing to enable her to bring about significant improvements to the justice system.
Justice Gertrude Torkornoo in 2001 obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in International Law and Organization from the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS), part of Erasmus University in the Netherlands.
The Chief Justice recalled with fond memories her days in Netherlands as a student at the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS).
For instance, she recounted that at ISS, they had what was called “kitchen Thursday” where specific issues were identified for specific countries students in the school to discuss them with solution being implemented in their home countries.
In attendance during the meeting with the Chief Justice was Justice Juliana Amonoo-Neizer, a Justice of the superior courts who is an alumna of ISS and NAAG
Justice Gertrude Torkornoo who replaced Justice Anin Yeboah following his retirement, was sworn into office by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on June 12, 2023.
“I am fully satisfied that Justice Torkornoo, who has been on the Supreme Court for the last four (4) years, and has been a member of the Judiciary for the last nineteen (19) years, is duly qualified and eminently fit to discharge the functions of Chief Justice,” the letter announcing her nomination as the Chief Justice read in part.