Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo has officially stepped down from her role as a member of Ghana’s Council of State after President John Dramani Mahama accepted her resignation, bringing an end to months of discussions surrounding her decision.
The development was confirmed on Monday, June 15, by Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, who disclosed that the resignation process had finally been concluded after extensive engagement between the presidency and the Council of State.
According to him, Justice Akuffo first submitted her resignation letter to the President in September 2025, expressing her intention to leave the advisory body. However, she did not provide any reasons for her decision.
“Indeed, Justice Sophia A.B. Akuffo has resigned from her position as a member of the Council of State,” Hon Kwakye Ofosu stated.
He explained that although the President was required to formally accept the resignation, the Council of State requested that the process be delayed to allow members to engage the former Chief Justice and determine whether some concerns or grievances could be addressed.
“She submitted a letter in September 2025 to the President indicating her desire to resign. She did not disclose the reason for wanting to resign,” he said.
Hon Kwakye Ofosu added that the Council believed it was important to speak with Justice Akuffo before a final decision was taken.
“When the President received the letter, he was required to indicate his acceptance of the resignation. But at the behest of the Council of State, he had to hold on because they wanted to engage Justice Sophia A.B. Akuffo to see if there was some grievance that was informing the resignation and whether there was a way that it could be addressed,” he explained.
Following months of consultations, the Council eventually informed the President that its engagement with Justice Akuffo had been completed and that her resignation could be accepted.
“They got back and said that they had engaged and, as far as they were concerned, the resignation could be accepted,” Hon Kwakye Ofosu noted.
With the President’s formal acceptance now granted, Justice Akuffo has officially ceased to be a member of the Council of State.
“The President has formally accepted her resignation, and she is no longer a member of the Council of State,” he announced.
Her departure creates a vacancy on the Council, and government officials say the necessary constitutional processes are underway to appoint a replacement.
Justice Sophia Akuffo, who served as Ghana’s Chief Justice from 2017 to 2020, has been one of the most prominent figures on the Council of State. While the reasons behind her resignation remain undisclosed, her exit marks a significant change in the composition of one of the country’s key advisory bodies.
