Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo has raised deep concerns about the lack of transparency in Ghana’s judicial appointment process.
She warns that public trust in the justice system is at risk unless major reforms are introduced.
Speaking on Channel One TV on November 5, Justice Akuffo said Ghana must “reconceive the judiciary” and overhaul how judges are appointed, disciplined, and removed.
“I have a passionate view and I have had it for quite a long time about how the judiciary is appointed, because the manner in which the appointment is made leaves a lot to be desired,” she said.
According to her, the current system fuels speculation about political influence and favouritism.
“There is not much transparency in the process, and it’s important for that to happen, because otherwise, it leads to all kinds of speculation, that someone got appointed because of this or that, since people may not know the reality of the qualifications and merits of the appointment,” she added.
Justice Akuffo proposed that Ghana should consider a more independent model for judicial appointments — one managed by a credible, non-political body composed of professional and social representatives chosen for their integrity and expertise.
She also cautioned against calls to limit the number of Supreme Court justices, saying the court’s workload is too heavy to justify such a move.
“You can only begin to talk about limiting the number of Supreme Court justices if you also look at the scope and magnitude of the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
“For as long as everyone has a right of access, and cases of all kinds keep coming, how can you limit the number of judges?” she asked.
Justice Akuffo compared Ghana’s system to that of the United States, where the Supreme Court selects which cases to hear, noting that Ghana’s “come one, come all” approach has created inefficiency and strain at the apex court.
She stressed that the future of the judiciary depends on greater transparency, independence, and accountability, urging policymakers to pursue reforms that will restore public confidence in the nation’s justice system.
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