A planned swearing-in ceremony of about 41 newly nominated High Court judges at the seat of Ghana’s presidency, Jubilee House, on Thursday, 9 October 2025, has been postponed indefinitely.
The decision to reschedule the ceremony was communicated to all the new High Court justices in a circular dated Wednesday, 8 October 2025, and signed by the Judicial Secretary, Mr Musah Ahmed.
“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, 9 October 2025, at the Jubilee House has been postponed indefinitely. A new date will be communicated to you,” the circular sighted by Asaase News read.
President John Dramani Mahama’s swift appointment of 69 judges to the Superior Courts within his 10 months in office has stirred intense national debate over the growing politicization of the judiciary.
The move, which includes seven new Supreme Court Justices, 21 Court of Appeal Justices, and 41 High Court Justices, and he was to be sworn in on 9 October, has reignited concerns about executive overreach and the erosion of judicial independence.
While the Presidency insists the appointments are part of a broader effort to “enhance efficiency and access to justice,” critics see a calculated attempt to reshape the judiciary along political lines — a fear fuelled by Mahama’s own past comments.
Since assuming office in January 2025, President Mahama has embarked on an unprecedented wave of judicial appointments.
Within the same 10-month period, the sitting Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, was first suspended on 22 April 2025 and subsequently removed from office on 1 September 2025.
