Audio By Carbonatix
An "extremely humbled" Justice Sophia Akuffo has expressed profuse gratitude to all four of Ghana's presidents beginning with the man who first appointed her to the bench.
At a swearing-in ceremony, the new Chief Justice praised the first president of the Fourth Republic, Jerry John Rawlings for first nominating her to the Supreme Court in 1995.
She said the nomination came "at a time when I had not even conceived or envisaged a life on the bench".
More than 22 years as a Supreme Court judge, President Akufo-Addo has handed her the fourth most powerful job in the country, nominating her on 11 May 2017 as the country's 13th Chief Justice.

"I am very grateful to you Mr. President" she said in a short speech that also acknowledged the Council of State and Parliament for the roles they played during the appointment process.
After President Rawlings pushed Sophia Akuffo to public service and the limelight, President John Agyekum Kufour catapulted her to international public service after she was nominated to join a panel of judges at the African Court of Human and Peoples' Rights in January 2006.
In spreading her acknowledgement, Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo thanked President Kufuor for the third leap in her public career.
Her fourth successive jump came in 2014 after President Mahama supported her nomination as vice- president of the African Court of Human and Peoples' Rights in 2014 and later as President of the Court.
She thanked former President John Mahama for her support which she said, helped to make her tenure as President of the court successful.
As Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo has reached her fifth leap in public service within the judiciary in Ghana.
Three of the presidents who played a role in her illustrious rise on the bench were present at the swearing-in, except the immediate past president, John Mahama who is out of the country.
The swearing-in was heavily attended by leading personalities and power blocs in the country. Ag. Chief Justice William Atuguba led several other Supreme Court judges to the swearing in. Several 2016 flagbearers and high-profile politicians also looked on as Sophia Akuffo swore three oaths - Oath of Secrecy, Judicial Oath and Oath of Allegiance.

If she completes this job in less than two years time when she retires, Sophia Akuffo could be in line for a sixth role in public service with a spot on the Council of State which is reserved for a retired Chief Justice.
She reiterated her passion for integrity and said she will strive to demonstrate this passion in her new role.
After five hours of vetting at Parliament's Appointments Committee, Sophia Akuffo told a packed audience at the swearing-in at the State House Monday, she has gained an understanding of what Ghanaians want to see her address within the judiciary.
She listed conditions of service within the judiciary, the ugly looking courts across the country and the fight against corruption.
Justice Sophia Akuffo ended her speech, restating her favourite Bible scripture which she told MPs during her vetting last Friday.
"I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted" Job 42:2
Latest Stories
-
Gov’t to sustain accountability series amid positive public response – Felix Kwakye Ofosu
5 minutes -
Ghana experts call for renewed focus on HIV testing, education, and retention in care
9 minutes -
Galamsey mindset is dangerous and must be stopped once and for all – Vicky Bright
15 minutes -
Call for GTEC Deputy Director-General’s resignation is unfounded – Educationist
19 minutes -
Pay GH¢1bn to retired soldiers: It’s gratuity arrears under CI 129 – President directs
25 minutes -
January 31 should be about leadership, not camps – George Andah to NPP
31 minutes -
Bechem United beat Hearts Lions 1-0 to get back to winning ways
37 minutes -
Ahanta West MP Mavis Bissue awards scholarships to 100 tertiary students
39 minutes -
Double-track SHS students to learn via TV, online portal during off-campus periods — GES
55 minutes -
From vision to impact: how Bishop Dr. Gideon Titi Ofei is changing Spintex Road
57 minutes -
Inclusive clean energy for all: A call to accelerate transport sector decarbonisation amid a burgeoning automotive industry
1 hour -
Today’s Front pages: Monday, January 26, 2026
1 hour -
NIA sets new Ghana Card fees at GH¢30 with replacement now costing GH¢200
2 hours -
Ablakwa begins 2-day Jamaica visit, meets Ghanaian troops and holds bilateral talks
2 hours -
Karpowership Ghana marks International Day of Education with Powership Tour for TTU engineering students
2 hours
