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Justice Francis Gyafiiry Korbieh reflects on 50-year legal career
•2 min read•3 sources
Justice Francis Gyafiiry Korbieh, a retired Justice of the Court of Appeal, has reflected on his 50-year legal career, detailing a journey of perseverance that began in the Upper West Region. Speaking on Joy FM’s Personality Profile, the retired judge shared how he navigated humble beginnings and significant professional milestones, including his service as a Member of Parliament and his eventual elevation to the bench. He officially retired from the judiciary in 2020, but continues to be recognized for his extensive contributions to Ghanaian law.
Born in a small village, Korbieh recounted the physical and logistical hurdles of his early education, which frequently required him to walk 10 miles to reach school. These challenges eventually led him to a weekly boarding arrangement in Jirapa and later to the St. Francis Xavier Minor Seminary. Although the seminary was designed to train future priests, Korbieh admitted that he never felt a spiritual calling to the clergy, choosing instead to pursue a path in law and politics. He noted that the limited educational infrastructure of his youth served as a catalyst for his professional drive.
Throughout his distinguished career, Korbieh transitioned from the political arena to the judiciary. He revealed during the interview that he had been nominated for the Supreme Court on two separate occasions. However, both appointments remained unfulfilled due to various procedural issues. Despite missing out on a seat at the highest court in the land, the retired justice expressed a deep sense of fulfillment, stating that he views the trajectory of his career as a reflection of God’s will.
As he marked five decades in the legal profession, Justice Korbieh emphasized that his dedication to the law was shaped by his early life experiences. He expressed profound gratitude for the opportunities he was afforded and the legacy of service he leaves behind. His story remains a significant narrative of resilience, documenting a rise from rural Ghana to the second-highest court in the country’s judicial system.
