Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo has called for constitutional amendments to strengthen fairness and judicial independence in the removal process of a sitting Chief Justice.
Appearing before the Constitutional Review Committee in Accra on April 30, she criticized Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, describing it as lacking safeguards and heavily tilted towards executive influence.
Under the current system, a five-member committee—appointed by the President on the advice of the Council of State—investigates petitions against a Chief Justice.
Justice Akuffo argued this process is inadequate, noting its decisions are final, made behind closed doors, and offer no opportunity for appeal.
“There must be a provision for appeal, and an independent body—rather than a presidentially appointed committee—should be tasked with investigating such cases,” she said.
She recommended Ghana consider alternatives like Kenya’s Judicial Service Commission, which operates without executive interference and includes broader representation.
