Swearing-In of 41 High Court Judges Postponed Indefinitely
Accra ,Ghana - The swearing-in ceremony for 41 newly nominated High Court judges, scheduled to take place at the Jubilee House in Accra on Thursday, October 9, 2025, has been indefinitely postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. A circular signed by Judicial Secretary Musah Ahmed informed the new judges of the decision, stating that a new date will be communicated to them in due course.
The decision, communicated in a circular dated October 8, 2025, and signed by Judicial Secretary Musah Ahmed, cited unforeseen circumstances as the reason for the postponement.
"You are to take notice that due to unforeseen circumstances, the planned swearing-in of newly selected High Court judges scheduled to take place tomorrow, Thursday, October 9, 2025, at the Jubilee House has been postponed indefinitely. A new date will be communicated to you."it noted.
The postponement comes amid intense national debate over President John Dramani Mahama's recent appointments to the judiciary. Since assuming office in January 2025, President Mahama has appointed 69 judges to the superior courts, including seven new Supreme Court justices, 21 justices of the Court of Appeal, and the 41 High Court judges whose swearing-in ceremony was scheduled for October 9.
The appointments have sparked concerns about executive overreach and the erosion of judicial independence. Critics argue that the move is a calculated attempt to reshape the judiciary along political lines, fuelled by President Mahama's past comments.
President Mahama's appointments include Justice Musah Ahmed as the new Judicial Secretary, who brings over 25 years of legal experience to the role. Ahmed was sworn into office on October 8, 2025, by Acting Chief Justice Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie.
The recent wave of judicial appointments has also seen the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo from office on September 1, 2025, following a tumultuous period in the judiciary.
The development has sparked a heated debate about the role of the executive in shaping the judiciary and the potential consequences for Ghana's democracy.
Credit – Assase Radio
