Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, the nominee for Chief Justice, has affirmed that her religious beliefs will not interfere with her professional duties as a justice of the law.

She emphasized that she will apply the principles outlined by the law when addressing matters concerning the LGBTQ+ community.

During her vetting with the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Friday, May 2023, Justice Torkornoo drew extensively from the Bible to support her religious beliefs, which are rooted in the Christian faith.

Her articulate references to scripture garnered admiration from the interviewers.

Given her strong religious foundation, the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joe Osei Owusu, posed a direct question about her stance on the contentious issue of LGBTQ+. He inquired about the position she would take when confronted with a conflict between her religious faith and the law.

“As a Christian and a lawyer, having indicated to us in a short while how you’ve managed these two, what will be your professional legal position and your faith position on the matter of LGBTQ and the position of the law?” Joe Osei Owusu asked.

And Justice Torkornoo’s answer was straightforward. “I’ve made it very clear that when I walk into court, all my thoughts are soaked in the law,” she said, eliciting explanations from the chairman that she agrees to implement the law as passed by parliament.

Currently before Parliament, the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021 seeks to criminalize the promotion, advocacy, funding, and acts of homosexuality in Ghana. This bill, which is a private member's bill, was presented to Speaker Alban Bagbin on June 29, 2021.

During her vetting, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo made it clear that she is bound to uphold the law regarding LGBTQ+ matters.

If approved by the committee, she will assume the role of Chief Justice, succeeding Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah, who retired on May 24 after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70 for justices of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.