Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo has formally stepped down from her position as a member of the Council of State after President John Dramani Mahama accepted her resignation, bringing to a close months of consultations surrounding her continued membership of the constitutional advisory body.
The development was confirmed on Monday, June 15, by the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, who disclosed that the resignation process had been completed and that the necessary constitutional steps were underway to appoint a successor.
Speaking to journalists, Mr Kwakye Ofosu revealed that Justice Akuffo initially submitted her resignation letter to the President in September 2025, signalling her intention to leave the advisory council. He noted that she did not provide any explanation for her decision at the time.
“I can confirm that indeed, Justice Sophia A. B. Akuffo has resigned from her position as a member of the Council of State. 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 stated.
According to him, although the President was required to formally acknowledge and accept the resignation, the process was temporarily put on hold following an intervention by the Council of State itself.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu explained that members of the Council had requested additional time to engage Justice Akuffo in order to determine whether her decision was influenced by any concerns or grievances that could potentially be addressed to persuade her to remain in office.
“When the President received the letter, he was required then to indicate his acceptance of her resignation. But at the behest of the Council of State, he had to hold on because they said they wanted to engage Justice Sophia Akuffo to see if there was some grievance that she had that was informing the resignation and whether or not there was a way that it could be addressed,” he explained.
He further indicated that subsequent engagements between the Council and Justice Akuffo did not lead to any change in her position. The Council thereafter advised that the resignation be accepted.
“But they went back and said that they had engaged and as far as they were concerned, the resignation could be accepted. So, the President has formally accepted her resignation, and she is no longer a member of the Council of State,” he added.
Justice Sophia Akuffo, who served as Chief Justice of Ghana from 2017 until her retirement in 2020, was later appointed to the Council of State as one of the eminent persons mandated to advise the President on governance and national development matters under the 1992 Constitution.
Her departure leaves a vacancy on the Council, an important constitutional body that provides counsel to the President in the exercise of executive authority and in key national policy considerations.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu confirmed that the government has already initiated the constitutionally required process to fill the vacant position.
“The law is clear on what processes to undertake to replace her, and that is going on as we speak. So, in due course, a replacement will be announced for Justice Sophia Akuffo,” he said.
The resignation marks the first high profile exit from the current composition of the Council of State and comes at a time when the advisory body continues to play a central role in governance and constitutional decision making.
Government officials have indicated that a successor will be appointed in accordance with constitutional provisions in the coming weeks, ensuring continuity in the Council’s advisory responsibilities.
