Vice President Opoku-Agyemang Outlines Constitutional Reforms as Ghana Celebrates Supreme Court’s 150th Anniversary

The Ghanaian government, led by Vice President Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, has signaled a significant push for constitutional and judicial reforms during the landmark 150th-anniversary celebration of the Supreme Court in Accra. Speaking on behalf of President John Mahama’s administration, the Vice President announced that the government will soon issue a position paper addressing the Constitutional Review Committee’s recommendations. These proposals, submitted following the committee's report in late 2025, include high-stakes changes such as extending the presidential term from four to five years and establishing an independent Emoluments Commission. This move underscores the administration's commitment to enhancing the 1992 Constitution to better serve democratic accountability and public confidence.

The anniversary served as a platform for critical dialogue regarding the independence and accessibility of the judiciary. Togbe Afede XIV, President of the Asogli Traditional Area, raised concerns about the unrestricted expansion of the Supreme Court, warning that a lack of constitutional limits on the number of judges could expose the bench to political manipulation. Furthermore, he highlighted that high legal costs remain a formidable barrier to justice for many Ghanaians, urging legal professionals to balance profit motives with their duty to the public. In a complementary address, Attorney General Dominic Ayine called for a "fraternal" partnership between his department and the judiciary, emphasizing that the Attorney General’s Chambers should be viewed as collaborators in justice rather than adversaries to reinforce the shared commitment to the rule of law.

Beyond the anniversary, Parliament’s legislative role has intensified with the passage of the Tribunals Bill, 2026, on July 17. Policy analyst Benjamin Anyagre Aziginaateeg has urged the government to ensure that this new tribunal system—designed to reduce case delays and tackle corruption—strictly adheres to the 1992 Constitution to maintain public trust. He noted that judicial independence and due process are paramount for the success of these tribunals in addressing public interest crimes. Simultaneously, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has introduced the National Integrity Awards Scheme to celebrate ethical leadership. Chaired by retired Justice William A. Atuguba, the initiative includes a "Vulture Award" to spotlight conduct that undermines public morals, reflecting a broader national effort to institutionalize integrity within Ghana’s governance structures.

To honor the judiciary’s historic milestone, Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie directed a temporary suspension of court sittings in the Greater Accra Region to allow full participation in the celebrations held at the UPSA Ohene Konadu Auditorium and the Accra Ridge Church. These events and policy announcements collectively signal a transformative period for Ghana’s political and legal landscape under the Mahama administration. As the government finalizes its response to the constitutional review and the new tribunal system moves toward implementation, the focus remains on balancing institutional independence with the urgent need for efficiency, accessibility, and integrity in the administration of justice.