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Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo Resigns From The Council Of State

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Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo has resigned from Ghana’s Council of State, sources familiar with the matter have informed Myjoyonline, bringing an end to her time on the country’s highest presidential advisory body.

Sophia Akuffo, who led the judiciary from 2017 to 2020, is understood to have submitted her resignation last year.

She has not attended any Council of State meetings since then.


Neither Akuffo nor the presidency has commented on the development. The circumstances surrounding her decision have not been publicly disclosed.

The Council of State is a constitutional body tasked with advising the president on matters of national importance.

Its membership includes elected and appointed representatives drawn from across the country.

Her exit, however, follows a turbulent period during which she became a central figure in one of Ghana’s most consequential judicial crises.

When the Council of State voted in April 2025 on whether a prima facie case had been established against then Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, 30 out of 31 members voted in favour. Sophia Akuffo was the sole abstention, though the reasons for her decision were not publicly disclosed at the time.

Sophia Akuffo went further in the months that followed. She appeared voluntarily before the Article 146 committee established to investigate Torkornoo, at the request of the suspended Chief Justice herself, to present testimony in her defence.

She also went public with her misgivings about the entire process.


In an interview in September 2025, she criticised the proceedings that led to Torkornoo’s removal, arguing that the suspended Chief Justice did not receive a fair hearing.

She described the process as a “treason trial” and said it had weakened the judiciary. She further argued that the allegations against Torkornoo “lack the gravity that will lead to a grave outcome such as the removal of the head of an institution of justice.”

The remarks drew sharp backlash.

Former Director of the Ghana School of Law, Kwaku Ansa-Asare, accused Akuffo of breaching her oath of secrecy as a Council of State member, arguing that her statements indirectly revealed knowledge of confidential proceedings.

A member of the United Party, Solomon Owusu, announced plans to petition for her removal, accusing her of breaching the oath of secrecy and saying her actions could set a dangerous precedent. Solomon Owusu also criticised her for serving as a witness for Torkornoo before the Pwamang-led committee while still a member of the Council of State, which had participated in establishing the prima facie case.

President Mahama signed the warrant for Torkornoo’s removal on September 1, 2025.

Sophia Akuffo is one of Ghana’s most respected jurists, having served on the Supreme Court for over two decades before becoming the country’s 13th Chief Justice. She was only the second woman to hold the position, after Justice Georgina Theodora Wood.

Before her elevation to Chief Justice, she served as a judge of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights and held several roles within the Ghanaian judiciary.

Her time on the Council of State had drawn public attention earlier in 2023, when she joined pensioner groups protesting aspects of the government’s domestic debt exchange programme, arguing that retirees should not bear an unfair burden in the country’s economic recovery effort.

No official announcement has been made regarding a replacement.

myjoyonline.com

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Politics

“This Is Wontumi’s Moment” – Freddie Blay Backs NPP National Chairman Hopeful

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Former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Freddie Blay, has declared his support for Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, in his bid to become the party’s next National Chairman.

The endorsement came during a private meeting held at Freddy Blay’s residence, where the former party chairman praised the campaign structure put together by Wontumi and his team.

Blay described the group surrounding the Ashanti Regional Chairman as a “solid team” and commended members individually for their commitment and efforts toward the campaign.

He also assured Wontumi of his full backing, describing his endorsement as genuine and unwavering.

“I will support him every step of the way,” Blay stated, adding that this was the right moment for Chairman Wontumi to lead the party.

“This is the time for Chairman Wontumi. This is his moment. He is the man of the moment,” he said.

Touching on Wontumi’s ongoing legal challenges, Blay offered words of encouragement and prayed for strength, endurance and perseverance as he navigates the court processes.

The two party figures also discussed campaign strategy ahead of the internal contest, with Freddy Blay reportedly identifying key areas such as Greater Accra Region and the Eastern Region as crucial regions requiring attention.

The meeting is being viewed as a significant boost for Chairman Wontumi as he seeks support from influential figures within the party while dealing with both political and legal pressures.

citinewsroom.com

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Vice President Leads 44th Anniversary Commemoration Of 31st December Revolution

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Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, on behalf of President John Mahama, joined party members and citizens to commemorate the 44th anniversary of the 31st December Revolution, calling on Ghanaians to remain committed to truth, accountability, and national unity.

The commemoration, held under the theme “Consolidating the Reset Agenda: Reflections on the Gains of the 31st December Revolution,” reflected on the historical significance of the uprising led by Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings, which sought to confront injustice, restore accountability, and uphold the dignity of ordinary Ghanaians.

Addressing participants, the Vice President said the Revolution was born out of a deep desire to put Ghana first and reshape the nation’s political consciousness.

She noted that its ideals laid the foundation for the revolutionary tradition that later gave rise to the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Prof. Opoku-Agyemang paid tribute not only to prominent figures associated with the Revolution but also to the many unnamed men and women, soldiers, party faithful, and ordinary citizens, whose courage and convictions helped shape Ghana’s national course.

She said their motivation was rooted in a belief in what was best for the majority and in values capable of propelling the country forward.

The Vice President conveyed warm New Year greetings from President Mahama to all Ghanaians and commended participants in the anniversary parade, giving special recognition to the children whose participation, she said, underscored the need to protect and pass on national values to future generations.

As Ghana enters a new year, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang urged citizens to reflect honestly on the nation’s achievements and shortcomings, stressing that national stability depends on individual responsibility, accountability, and mutual respect.

She stated that the 31st December Revolution was not about individuals but a collective national effort to build a just, caring, and responsible society, an obligation she said still rests with all Ghanaians.

Calling for unity and renewed commitment, the Vice President urged citizens to remain grounded in truth, place Ghana’s interests above all else, and work together to leave the country better than they found it.

myjoyonline.com

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Ablekuma North: Hawa Koomson, Akua Afriyie Assaulted By Unknown Macho Men – VIDEO

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Former Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East, Mavis Hawa Koomson, has been attacked during a chaos that erupted during the parliamentary rerun in the Ablekuma North constituency on Friday, July 11.

Tensions escalated during the parliamentary rerun at Ablekuma North constituency when a group of unidentified macho men stormed St. Peter’s polling station, disrupting the process and unleashing violence on political figures and journalists.

READ ALSO: Ablekuma North Chaos: NPP Deputy National Organiser Brutally Beaten

According to Channel One News’ Jude Duncan, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) parliamentary candidate, Nana Akua Afriyie, and a female party agent were severely assaulted during the incident. Both reportedly suffered facial injuries, with visible swelling.

Eyewitnesses described the arrival of the attackers as highly coordinated, causing panic among voters and halting the voting process temporarily. Security personnel were deployed to restore calm and ensure the continuation of the election.

READ ALSO: NDC’s Ewurabena Aubynn Wins Ablekuma North Seat In Crucial Rerun

The rerun, covering 19 polling stations, was organized by the EC to resolve months-long electoral dispute stemming from the December 7, 2024, general elections. The process is intended to restore parliamentary representation to the constituency, which has remained without a Member of Parliament since then.

READ ALSO: Police Interdict Officer Seen Assaulting Reporter In Viral Video

Despite the NPP’s official boycott of the rerun—citing unfairness in the EC’s decision—its candidate, Nana Akua Afriyie, defied the party’s directive and actively participated in the contest. Political tensions in the area remain high following the violent incident.

citinewsroom.com

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