President John Dramani Mahama has appointed 21 new justices to Ghana’s Court of Appeal, a sweeping judicial reshuffle that marks one of the largest in the nation’s recent legal history.
Among those elevated is Justice Daniel Mensah, the Dormaahene, whose simultaneous role as a traditional ruler and appellate judge establishes an unprecedented dual position in Ghana’s judiciary.
The appointments have ignited a range of responses from legal analysts and civil society.
While many hail the move as a step towards judicial strengthening, some names on the list have sparked renewed scrutiny due to previous contentious rulings.
Justice Senyo Amedahe drew criticism over his overturned decision in the Akwatia contempt case. Justice Ali Baba Bature faced backlash for denying an injunction request during the disputed Ablekuma North election.
Similarly, Justice Anokye Gyimah’s management of the high-profile Opuni trial has prompted ongoing legal debate.
Despite these concerns, the composition of the new bench reflects significant progress in gender inclusion and regional representation. Women now make up 33% of the newly appointed justices, signalling a broader push toward inclusivity within the judiciary.
The development comes shortly after the Mahama administration promoted seven Court of Appeal judges to the Supreme Court, further restructuring the judicial hierarchy.
Although the government has defended the appointments as essential to boosting judicial efficiency, critics argue they continue a pattern of institutional reshaping previously condemned by President Mahama himself during his earlier tenure.
The newly appointed justices are expected to be sworn in at the Jubilee House in the coming days.
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