15-Member Cap for Supreme Court of Ghana
*CRC Proposes 15-Member Cap for Ghana’s Supreme Court.
The Constitution Review Committee (CRC) has proposed capping the number of Supreme Court justices at 15, including the Chief Justice, to improve the court’s efficiency and reduce its workload. This recommendation aims to streamline the court’s appellate jurisdiction and enhance justice delivery.
The proposed amendment to Article 128(1) of the 1992 Constitution would set an upper limit on the number of Supreme Court justices, preserving flexibility in appointments while preventing excessive expansion. The CRC believes this will safeguard judicial independence and align Ghana with international best practices.
In contrast, the Committee advised against imposing numerical limits on the Court of Appeal and the High Court, citing the need for flexibility to respond to population growth and changing justice demands. This move is part of broader constitutional reforms aimed at strengthening Ghana’s judiciary and democratic governance.
The CRC’s proposal includes comprehensive reforms to judicial appointments, tenure, and removal processes. For instance, the Chief Justice would serve a single, non-renewable 10-year term or until retirement at 70, whichever comes first. Similar merit-based processes are recommended for other superior court justices.
President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to establish an implementation committee in early 2026 to translate these recommendations into constitutional amendments, potentially leading to significant judicial reforms in Ghana .
