Reconceive the judiciary- Sophia Akuffo pushes for appointment reforms
Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo has called for a comprehensive review of Ghana’s judicial structure and processes, including the appointment and removal of judges, to enhance transparency and accountability while safeguarding the judiciary’s independence.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Point of View with Bernard Avle on Wednesday, November 5, Justice Akuffo said it was time for the country to “reconceive the judiciary” and critically examine how judges are selected and disciplined.
“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 stated.
She explained that the current system lacks transparency, fueling public speculation about political interference and favoritism in judicial appointments.
“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 explained.
The former Chief Justice suggested that Ghana consider adopting models in which independent bodies, rather than political actors, oversee judicial appointments. She proposed that such bodies could include representatives from professional and social organisations, selected based on merit and credibility rather than political preference.
Justice Akuffo also cautioned against imposing arbitrary limits on the number of Supreme Court judges, noting that the country’s apex court is overburdened by the volume of cases it must handle.
“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.
She highlighted that, unlike systems such as the United States, where the Supreme Court selects which cases to hear, Ghana’s “come one, come all” approach results in excessive workloads and inefficiency at the highest judicial level.
Justice Akuffo explained that strengthening judicial independence through transparent appointments and practical reforms is essential to maintaining public trust and preserving the integrity of Ghana’s justice system.
Comments (0)