JUSAG News Stories

As Ghana marks 150 years of its apex court; the Supreme Court of Ghana, a Justice of the Court, His Lordship Justice Richard Adjei-Frimpong JSC, has highlighted the institution’s transformation from a colonial adjudicatory body into a central pillar of constitutional governance and democratic stability.

Speaking in an interview ahead of the anniversary celebrations, Justice Adjei-Frimpong, who chairs the planning committee, described the milestone as an opportunity to reflect on the court’s historical journey and future direction. He traced the court’s origins to 1876 under British colonial rule, noting, that it initially functioned not as an apex court, but as a combination of a High Court and a court of first instance, with final appeals handled externally by bodies such as the Privy Council.
 

His Lordship Justice Richard Adjei-Frimpong JSC

According to him, the court only attained full apex status under Ghana’s 1960 Republican Constitution, later evolving significantly under subsequent constitutional arrangements. He explained that the most defining shift occurred when the court acquired the power of judicial review which positioned it as a protector of the constitution, guardian of human rights and promoter of constitutional democracy.

Justice Adjei-Frimpong outlined three major phases in the court’s history, its early role as a basic adjudicator, periods of disruption under military regimes when the court was sometimes dissolved, and its current phase as an empowered constitutional body under the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.

Despite periods of instability, particularly during military rule, he noted that the Judiciary demonstrated resilience. “The court survived… in spite of the unfortunate attitudes of military rulers,” he said, adding, that lower courts remained strong and, in some cases, resisted attempts to undermine judicial authority.

 Supreme Court Building

He further highlighted the court’s growing influence in shaping governance through landmark decisions, including rulings that expanded citizens’ access to constitutional justice and reinforced accountability in public office appointments.

Justice Adjei-Frimpong also addressed public concerns about perceived partisanship, explaining, that as a policy court, some decisions may align with government positions without implying bias. He emphasized existing mechanisms such as judicial codes of conduct, disciplinary procedures, and internal deliberations to ensure fairness and independence.

Supreme Courtroom

On the anniversary celebrations, he announced a series of nationwide activities, including public lectures, legal outreach programmes, assembly of legal brains involving jurists from across Africa, sporting activities, a grand durbar and thanksgiving service. The official launch is scheduled for Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at the CEDI Conference Centre, University of Ghana, Legon. He called on Ghanaians to participate in the celebrations, stressing, that it is their Supreme Court, and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to strengthening democracy.

The anniversary is being marked under the theme “Supreme Court at 150, Honouring the past, celebrating the present, and defining the future.”

SOURCE:  Judicial Service of Ghana