STATEMENT DELIVERED BY JUSTICE RICHARD ADJEI-FRIMPONG, JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT AND CHAIRMAN OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE OF THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS OF THE SUPREME COURT OF GHANA, AT A PRESS BRIEFING HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 8TH APRIL 2026 AT THE C
Source: judicial_service_of_ghana
Date: 2026-04-08

STATEMENT DELIVERED BY JUSTICE RICHARD ADJEI-FRIMPONG, JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT AND CHAIRMAN OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE OF THE 150 TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS OF THE SUPREME COURT OF GHANA, AT A PRESS BRIEFING HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 8 TH APRIL 2026 AT THE CHIEF JUSTICE’S CONFERENCE ROOM, JUDICIAL SERVICE HEAD OFFICE, ACCRA. Good Morning, Ladies and Gentlemen of the press. It is my singular honour to welcome you to this press briefing. Let me, on behalf of His Lordship the Chief Justice of the Republic, the Judicial Council and the Anniversary Planning Committee which I chair, thank you for honouring our invitation even at such a short notice. This short ceremony is to brief you on the celebration of the 150 th Anniversary of the establishment of the highest court of the land dubbed; the Supreme Court@150. The Supreme Court was established under the Supreme Court Ordinance of 1876, an Ordinance recognized as marking the beginning of the modern Ghanaian legal system. Over the decades, the evolution of the Court has been chequered, challenging, yet enduring. The Court has not been spared the misfortunes of political hostility, military interventions featuring suspensions and abrogations of constitutions, societal criticisms, even condemnation, some fair others unfair and in some instances extraordinary legislative re-alignment. In all this however, the Court has survived and thrived. And in the chapters and verses of this evolution, the Court has held on to its fundamental role of defending the constitution, ensuring the protection of fundamental human rights of the citizenry and enforcing and sustaining a true democratic system of governance. The Supreme Court has not just been a Court, but a very significant national governance institution. A few of the noble decisions of the Court which attest to the promotion of constitutionalism, good governance and the protection of human rights may be recounted in brief. Article 181(5) of the Constitution has been interpreted by the Court to ensure that international business agreements involving the state shall not come into operation unless it is approved by a resolution of parliament. By this decision, the representatives of the people have a final say in how the executive transacts international businesses. Further, today, prisoners are permitted to vote, thereby expanding the frontiers of universal adult suffrage. Again, today, one does not need a police permit in order to embark on a demonstration. Finally and perhaps most significantly, two presidential election disputes have been resolved by the Court to ensure political stability. The list can go on and on. In spite of the challenges, there is a lot in history and present day to celebrate of the Court The theme for the celebration is; “HONOURING THE PAST, CELEBRATING THE PRESENT AND DEFINING THE FUTURE” . This theme is fitting and apposite. We believe it is deserving to celebrate the historical significance of the Court, honour the achievements of our forebears and highlight the Court’s contribution to the social, political and democratic development of the country. We also believe that in recent decades, particularly under the dispensation of the 1992 Constitution, the court has carved for itself a remarkable component of Ghana statehood which is worthy of celebration. There is also the need to look into the future and chart a sustainable course to meet emerging challenges of the global legal system. In effect, this is not going to be just a celebration, it shall be a moment of stock-taking, lesson-learning and strategizing into the future. The celebrations will be launched on the 16 th of April 2026 at the Cedi Conference Center, University of Ghana. The actual celebrations which will be a month-long event shall be held from 1 st to 31 st July, 2026. The events lined up for the celebrations will include lectures and symposia by various dignitaries locally and internationally, legal outreach programs, Moot Court competitions, Sporting events, sod-cutting of anniversary project, durbar to climax the celebrations, dinner and Thanksgiving Service. We take this opportunity to invite you and the people of Ghana to stand with us in the preparations and join us in the celebrations of this significant milestone of the highest Court of the land. THANK YOU. Prev Next