By Boakye Stephen, Kumasi, Ghana | Reporting for Ghanaian News, Canada | June 21, 2026
Prominent legal academic Kwaku Ansa-Asare has argued that the appointment of former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo to Ghana’s Council of State was constitutionally problematic from the outset.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile programme, the former Director of the Ghana School of Law maintained that former Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Wood, being the most senior retired Chief Justice, should have been selected instead.
His comments come days after President John Mahama accepted Sophia Akuffo’s resignation from the Council of State.
Ansa-Asare also criticised the manner in which the resignation was communicated to the public, noting that the resignation had reportedly occurred months before its official confirmation.
The legal scholar further suggested that controversies surrounding Akuffo’s public comments regarding judicial matters may have contributed to the circumstances leading to her departure.
Analysis
The debate highlights differing interpretations of constitutional provisions governing appointments to advisory state institutions and raises questions about transparency in public administration.
Commentary | Boakye Stephen
Public confidence in constitutional bodies depends not only on legal compliance but also on perceptions of fairness, openness and institutional integrity.
