Sophia Akuffo
Former Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo, has resigned from the Council of State, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Sources indicated that Justice Akuffo, who served as the Chief Justice from 2017 to 2020, submitted her resignation last year and has not attended any meetings of the advisory body since then.
Neither Justice Akuffo nor the Presidency has publicly commented on the development, and the reasons behind her resignation remain unclear.
The Council of State is a constitutional body that advises the President on matters of national importance and comprises elected and appointed members from across the country.
Her departure comes after a period of intense public scrutiny linked to the proceedings that led to the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
In April 2025, the Council of State considered whether a prima facie case had been established against Justice Torkornoo. While 30 of the 31 members voted in favour, Justice Akuffo was the only member who abstained. No public explanation was given for her decision.
She later appeared before the Article 146 committee investigating Justice Torkornoo after being called as a witness by the suspended Chief Justice. Justice Akuffo testified in support of Justice Torkornoo and subsequently voiced concerns about the fairness of the proceedings.
In a September 2025 interview, she criticised the process that culminated in Justice Torkornoo’s removal, describing it as akin to a “treason trial” and arguing that the allegations did not warrant the dismissal of the head of the judiciary. She maintained that the process had weakened the judicial institution.
Her remarks sparked criticism from some legal and political figures. Former Director of the Ghana School of Law, Kwaku Ansa-Asare, accused her of breaching the oath of secrecy required of Council of State members.
United Party member, Solomon Owusu, also called for her removal, arguing that her participation as a witness in the case while serving on the Council raised concerns about confidentiality and precedent.
President John Mahama signed the warrant for Justice Torkornoo’s removal on September 1, 2025.
Justice Akuffo is widely regarded as one of Ghana’s most distinguished jurists. She served on the Supreme Court for more than two decades and became the13th Chief Justice, as well as the second woman to occupy the position after Georgina Theodora Wood.
A Daily Guide Report