GHANA’S SUPREME COURT TURNS 150!
Tuesday, March 31, 2026 marked 150 years since the establishment of the Supreme Court of the then Gold Coast, now Ghana. This sesquicentennial milestone commemorates a century and a half of dedicated service, institutional continuity, and the steadfast pursuit of excellence within the nation's legal framework.
A Trip Down Memory Lane
The Supreme Court was established on March 31, 1876, under the Supreme Court Ordinance 1876, which was drafted by Sir David Patrick Chalmers, who subsequently served as the first Chief Justice of the Gold Coast Colony. At its inception, the Court functioned as the Superior Court of Judicature for the colony and comprised of a Chief Justice and up to four Puisne Judges.
The institution evolved through the colonial era until Ghana attained independence in 1957. Following the adoption of the Ghana Independence Act, Sir Kobina Arku Korsah was appointed as the first Ghanaian Chief Justice in a substantive capacity.
Over the years, the Supreme Court has stood the test of time, navigating periods of civil and military rule while maintaining its status as the nation’s apex court and remaining resolute in its mandate to uphold the rule of law.
Celebrating the Present
Since the coming into force of the Fourth Republic, the Supreme Court has played a pivotal role in safeguarding Ghana’s democracy through landmark decisions and the apt interpretation of the 1992 Constitution. During this era, the Court has been led by nine (9) Chief Justices including the current Chief Justice, His Lordship Paul Baffoe-Bonnie.
As one of the oldest political institutions in Ghana, the Supreme Court serves as a repository of the country’s constitutional memory.
The Judiciary, today, is anchored on the pillars of leadership, innovation, and technology. A defining feature of the present-day era is the systematic rollout of the expanded e-Justice system, which makes room for electronic filing, digital transcription, digital service of documents, virtual hearings, and real-time case tracking. These initiatives represent efforts by the Judiciary to integrate modern technological advancements into the operations of the court, with the aim of enhancing transparency, reducing procedural delays, and ensuring access to justice for all Ghanaians, including those in rural communities.
Launch Event and Celebrations
To commemorate this significant milestone, the Judiciary will officially launch the 150th Anniversary Celebration on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at the Cedi Conference Centre, University of Ghana, Legon, at 10:00 a.m.
The celebration will be held under the theme: “The Supreme Court of Ghana @150: Honouring the Past, Celebrating the Present and Defining the Future”.
The launch event, which will bring together key stakeholders from the legal, academic, and governance sectors, will serve as the formal commencement of a series of commemorative activities scheduled to take place throughout the month of July.
The Judiciary invites members of the legal fraternity and the general public to join in celebrating this historic national milestone.