Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo has resigned from Ghana’s Council of State, a development that has sparked widespread debate across the country’s legal and political circles.
Reports emerging over the weekend indicated that Madam Akuffo had formally stepped down from the advisory body after months of apparent disagreement with decisions taken by the Council regarding judicial matters.
Sources familiar with the Council’s activities revealed that the former Chief Justice had not attended several recent meetings, fueling speculation about her continued membership before news of her resignation became public.
The resignation is believed to be linked to events surrounding the removal process involving former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, a matter that generated significant public and legal discussion throughout 2025 and 2026.
According to reports, Sophia Akuffo was the only member of the Council of State who declined to support a recommendation that a prima facie case existed against Justice Torkornoo during deliberations held in April 2025.
Her reported abstention from the vote was widely interpreted as a sign of concern over aspects of the process, although she did not publicly disclose detailed reasons for her position at the time.
Political analysts say the resignation of a former Chief Justice from the Council of State is a rare occurrence and could raise questions about transparency, accountability, and consensus within some of the country’s key governance institutions.
Legal practitioners have also weighed in on the development, with some arguing that Madam Akuffo’s departure highlights the need for continued public discussion on the independence of constitutional bodies and the handling of high-profile judicial matters.
While the Presidency had not immediately issued a detailed statement on the resignation, observers expect the matter to feature prominently in national conversations about governance and constitutional reform.
Sophia Akuffo, who served as Chief Justice from 2017 to 2019 and remains one of Ghana’s most respected legal figures, leaves the Council of State after a tenure marked by her reputation for independence, judicial integrity, and commitment to constitutional principles.
