By Franklin Asare-Donkoh
The Judicial Service of Ghana has announced a series of high-profile events to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the country’s apex court, the Supreme Court, marking 150 years since its establishment in 1876.
At a press conference on April 8, 2026, His Lordship Richard Adjei-Frimpong, a Justice of the Supreme Court and chairperson of the anniversary planning committee, outlined the roadmap for the sesquicentennial celebration.
The anniversary is themed: “The Supreme Court of Ghana @150: Honouring the Past, Celebrating the Present and Defining the Future.”
The celebrations will be marked in two phases. The official launch will take place on April 16, 2026, at the Cedi Conference Centre in Accra at 10:00 a.m.
A comprehensive schedule of commemorative activities is planned for July 2026. According to the chairperson of the planning committee, this period will serve as a moment for “stock-taking, lesson learning, and strategising for the future.”
Established under the Supreme Court Ordinance of 1876, the apex court is one of Ghana’s oldest state institutions. Throughout its history, it has survived several constitutional transitions, including the shift from the colonial Gold Coast era to independence in 1957.
It also experienced abolition and re-establishment under various military regimes between 1966 and 1993, before transitioning into the Fourth Republic under the 1992 Constitution.
The current Chief Justice, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, who assumed office in November 2025, has been among judicial leaders commended for the court’s role in safeguarding the rule of law and protecting fundamental human rights.
Justice Adjei-Frimpong noted that despite periods of political pressure and institutional restructuring, the Supreme Court remains a “repository of Ghana’s constitutional history.”
The July events are expected to include public lectures, moot court competitions, and reflections on the evolution of judicial authority in Ghana.
The public has been encouraged to visit the official Judicial Service of Ghana website for further updates on the anniversary programme.
