Ghanaian Scholar Criticizes Proposed Supreme Court Cap as Arbitrary, Calls for Appeals System Reform
Former Parliament Speaker Prof. Aaron Oquaye deems Ghana's proposed cap on Supreme Court justices arbitrary and urges a review of the appeals system.
In Brief
- •Former Parliament Speaker Prof. Aaron Oquaye deems Ghana's proposed cap on Supreme Court justices arbitrary and urges a review of the appeals system.
- •He proposes making the Court of Appeal the final stop for ordinary cases, limiting Supreme Court to exceptional matters with special leave.
- •The government’s 11‑member implementation committee, chaired by Attorney‑General Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, aims to draft amendment bills by November 2026.
- •The Citizens’ Platform on Constitutional Reform supports faster resolution of presidential election petitions, proposing a 30‑day decision window and a 14‑day filing period.
Why It Matters
The debate over the Supreme Court’s size touches on the balance between judicial capacity and the constitutional mandate that the Court be the final appellate authority for all cases in Ghana. A cap without structural reform could strain the judiciary and delay justice, while a shift to make the Court of Appeal the final stop for ordinary matters could streamline case flow and reduce backlog. The proposed amendments and public participation initiatives signal a broader constitutional overhaul that may reshape Ghana’s legal landscape and affect how citizens access high‑court remedies.
Key Details
- Implementation Committee Inauguration
- August 28, 2026
- Target for Draft Amendment Bills
- November 2026
- Number of Proposals Backed by Citizens’ Platform
- 16
- Proposed Decision Window for Election Petitions
- 30 days
- Proposed Filing Window for Election Petitions
- 14 days
Context & Background
Ghana’s constitution designates the Supreme Court as the final court of appeal for all cases, a structure that differs from systems where the Court of Appeal serves as the last stop for ordinary matters. The current debate reflects tensions between maintaining broad appellate access and managing judicial resources.
What To Watch
November 2026: Draft amendment bills to be presented to Parliament
Original Reporting & Sources
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