By Boakye Stephen, Kumasi, Ghana | Reporting for Ghanaian News, Canada | May 2, 2026
Renowned Ghanaian lawyer Tsatsu Tsikata has offered a rare reflection on the value of judicial independence, saying he has sometimes felt proud of court decisions even when the rulings went against him. His comments have drawn attention for promoting trust in legal institutions at a time when many political defeats are often followed by attacks on the judiciary.
Speaking on his experiences before the bench, Tsikata said his feelings about the courts have not always been the same, but many moments have inspired respect rather than bitterness.
“I have felt very proud, and there have also been instances where you feel otherwise…”
Tsikata, one of Ghana’s most experienced legal minds, also spoke about judges who once studied under him. He explained that although some members of the judiciary were formerly his students, he avoids constantly referring to that relationship.
“Even if all of them are my students, I have recognised the importance of not always reminding them that, because, in fact, some of them don’t want to be reminded.”
His remarks touched on the famous 2013 election petition, one of Ghana’s most significant legal and political cases. Tsikata noted that during that period, there were several rulings that did not favour his side.
“I have had occasions when, even during the election petition, there were several matters on which they gave rulings and so on, and that is 2013, and some of the rulings didn’t go in our favour.”
However, he said losing a case does not automatically mean a judgment lacks value. According to him, there were times when the legal reasoning behind an unfavourable ruling was so carefully presented that it deserved respect.
“But there were occasions when, as you listen to the ruling, even though it didn’t go in your favour, you respected the way, the reasoning that had gone into it, and even the conclusions that had been reached.”
Tsikata said those moments reminded him of the quality of legal minds within Ghana’s judicial system.
“And so yes, I felt very proud of many of my students again.”
He also recalled hearing a female judge deliver a ruling whose detailed and disciplined approach impressed him deeply, despite not knowing her personally.
“I didn’t know who she was, but I had a judge read a ruling… the meticulous way in which she proceeded… it made me feel good… it also gave the confidence that I was expressing in the judiciary…”
His comments stand out in an era where court outcomes are increasingly judged through partisan lenses. Many legal observers say Tsikata’s words offer an important reminder that the strength of a judiciary is not measured by who wins or loses, but by the quality and fairness of its reasoning.
The reflection has been praised as a mature legal philosophy—one that values institutions above personal victory and encourages confidence in due process.
For many Ghanaians, his message is clear: a democratic society must learn to respect decisions not only when they are favourable, but also when they are principled.
𝘼𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝙍𝙚𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙩𝘼𝙉𝘿𝘼𝙍𝘿𝙎
𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘵-𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘨𝘰𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦, 𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘺 𝘯𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴.
