On 11 September 2026 President John Dramani Mahama administered the statutory oath to three new justices of Ghana’s Supreme Court: Justice Sophia Rosetta Oduokunwa Bernasco-Essa, Justice Edward Amoako Asante and Justice Anthony Forson Jr. The Presidency’s press release described the appointments as raising the number of justices on the country’s highest court to 17 and cited the appointees’ combined experience in the appellate bench, regional courts and private practice. The President urged the new justices to defend the Constitution and to decide independently, impartially and according to law. ([presidency.gov.gh](https://presidency.gov.gh/president-mahama-swears-in-3-new-supreme-court-justices-urges-unwavering-independence/))
Legal significance: Adding three justices affects the Supreme Court’s institutional capacity, quorum calculations and the pool available for constitutional benches. A larger bench can help reduce case backlog and allow more matters to be heard by multi‑judge constitutional panels when required by law. These appointments also bear on perceptions of judicial independence because the President nominates justices and the appointments are finalized through the statutory swearing‑in; public confidence therefore depends on transparent selection and adherence to constitutional safeguards. The Presidency statement framed the appointments as strengthening the rule of law, but the practical effects will be visible in case management, panel compositions for major constitutional questions, and the court’s ability to issue timely rulings.
Necessary background: Under Ghana’s Constitution and judicial statutes, Supreme Court justices are appointed by the President with advice and consent of the Council of State and must take the statutory oath before exercising judicial authority. Changes to the number or composition of the court do not alter statutory removal safeguards, which remain the primary constitutional protections for judicial tenure and independence. The swearing‑in is therefore a key institutional step that enables the justices to sit on the court and participate in adjudication. ([presidency.gov.gh](https://presidency.gov.gh/president-mahama-swears-in-3-new-supreme-court-justices-urges-unwavering-independence/))