In a legal sphere once dominated by men in robes and wigs, Ghanaian women are now shattering stereotypes, breaking records, and driving reforms.
They are leading the charge and shaping national conversations on justice, law, and legal reforms.
These trailblazing women have held the fort in a traditionally male-dominated field, pushing boundaries and keeping the doors open for others to follow.
Their influences are evident in today’s legal landscape, where more young women are not only entering the profession but also rising through the ranks to reach the Bench, where critical decisions that shape the society are made.
This GhanaWeb article highlights some remarkable women who have made huge impacts on Ghana’s judiciary and legal system.
1. Georgina Theodora Wood
Georgina Theodora Wood made history as the first female Chief Justice of Ghana, becoming the first woman to be elevated to the highest position in the country’s judiciary and the longest-serving Chief Justice with her tenure spanning a decade, from 2007 to 2017.
Georgina Wood attended the University of Ghana, Legon, where she earned her Bachelor of Laws degree in 1969 and was called to the Bar in 1970 after the completion of her professional training at the Ghana Law School.
With a judicial career spanning over 35 years, she was part of the task force that designed Ghana’s Court-Connected Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) program.
She also served as chairperson of the working committee that drafted the manuals for Court-Connected ADR and pre-trial procedures in the Commercial Court of Ghana.
Also, the Justice for All Programme (JFAP) in 2007 was introduced under her tenure, working collaboratively with other institutions. The goal of the initiative was to promote access to justice and reduce prison overcrowding by establishing special in-prison courts across the country to adjudicate cases involving remanded prisoners.
During Justice Wood’s tenure, she diligently sustained and expanded the program’s reach. Her commitment ultimately led to the establishment of the first High Court located within Nsawam Prisons, an important step in promoting prisoners’ rights and ensuring their access to justice.
She is also the only Chief Justice in the Fourth Republic to have sworn in four presidents, marking her tenure as a particularly memorable chapter in Ghana’s constitutional journey.
She swore in Professor John Evans Atta Mills in 2009, John Dramani Mahama in 2012, following the passing of President Mills, John Dramani Mahama again in 2013 after his electoral victory, and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2017.
2. Sophia Akuffo
Sophia Akuffo succeeded Georgina Theodora Wood as Chief Justice, continuing her predecessor’s legacy of judicial reforms.
During her tenure, she oversaw several key initiatives, including a landmark Supreme Court ruling that allowed courts to sit on weekends and public holidays to address urgent legal matters.
Sophia Akuffo also oversaw reforms, including e-justice initiatives that laid the foundation for a paperless court system.
She is widely remembered for restoring public confidence in the judiciary and safeguarding its reputation, following the corruption scandal exposed by Anas Aremeyaw Anas.
To rebuild trust, she took decisive action by closing court complexes that failed to meet the Judicial Service of Ghana’s standards and personally toured courts across the country to ensure the highest levels of judicial integrity and professionalism were upheld.
3. Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo
As the third female Chief Justice to hold the highest position in the judiciary, Torkornoo brought extensive experience in the legal field, having served in various key roles throughout her legal career.
Under her tenure, Torkornoo introduced key reforms in the judicial sector when she assumed office in 2023, including commissioning a court dedicated to small claims and debts recoveries on August 7, 2024.
The move aimed to address the resolution of financial disputes, credit recovery cases, and claims from other institutions.
She also oversaw the automation of 116 courts across the country, bringing the total number of automated courts to 228. This automation aimed to ensure more efficient and accurate recording of court proceedings.
Under her leadership, a new software for the Independent Examination Committee (IEC) of the General Legal Council (GLC), the body mandated to conduct examinations for professional law students and admission to the Ghana School of Law, was launched on July 12, 2024.
Under her leadership, the Judicial Service introduced a court shift system designed to help clear the backlog of pending cases nationwide.
Also, the Judicial Service expanded jury lists to include all citizens qualified by law, including individuals from the private sector.
These reforms are expected to address inefficiencies to enhance justice delivery in the country.
4. Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong
From practicing at the Bar to becoming the second woman to serve as Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Marietta brought over twenty years of experience to the legal profession.
She was a member of the team that successfully won Ghana’s maritime dispute with Cote D’Ivoire at the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in 2017.
The dispute between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire arose following the discovery of hydrocarbon resources off their coasts, and which both claimed were within their jurisdiction.
Marietta was also appointed to serve a 3-year term on the International Chamber of Commerce’s Court of Arbitration.
5. Gloria Akuffo
Akuffo, with decades of legal expertise, became the third woman to be appointed Attorney General and Minister of Justice, serving from 2017 to 2021 and taking over from Marietta Appiah-Oppong.
As Attorney General, she led Ghana’s legal team in successfully representing the country in the maritime boundary dispute with Côte d’Ivoire at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in 2017.
The case arose after the discovery of hydrocarbon resources off the coast, which both nations claimed fell within their respective maritime jurisdictions.
Her leadership helped secure a favorable ruling and a landmark victory for Ghana.
The ruling saved Ghana some $49 billion.
6. Betty Mould-Iddrisu
She made history as the first woman to lead the Attorney General’s Office in Ghana, following her tenure as Head of Legal and Constitutional Affairs at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London.
7. Joyce Bamford-Addo
Bamford-Addo became the first Ghanaian female judge to be appointed as the Speaker of Parliament from 2009 to 2013.
Following her appointment by the late former President JJ Rawlings as a Supreme Court judge, she became the first female Justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana.
Ghana wins three-year maritime boundary dispute case against Ivory Coast
Her long experience in law and administration earned her a number of positions in both national and international organizations, namely Member, Legal Aid Board, Judicial Council (General Legal Council), Catholic Lawyers Guild, FIDA International), Ghana Bar Association, as well as the Commonwealth Lawyers Association.
She also represented Ghana at the UN Commission on the status of women.
In 1991, she was appointed the Second Deputy Speaker of the Consultative Assembly; the first woman to occupy that position.
Source: Ghanaweb
