Government reacts to Sophia Akuffo's resignation from Council of State

The government has officially confirmed that former Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo, has resigned from the Council of State, stating that President John Dramani Mahama has accepted her resignation.

The announcement was made by Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, who disclosed that the resignation process had been completed and that arrangements were underway to appoint a replacement in accordance with constitutional provisions.

Addressing journalists at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, June 15, 2026, Kwakye Ofosu revealed that Justice Akuffo submitted a letter to the President in September 2025 expressing her desire to step down from the advisory body.

Former CJ Sophia Akuffo resigns from Council of State – Report

“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 said.

According to the government spokesperson, the President initially delayed accepting the resignation after members of the Council of State requested an opportunity to engage Justice Akuffo and determine whether any concerns could be addressed to persuade her to remain.

He explained that the Council undertook consultations with the former Chief Justice but was ultimately unable to change her position.

“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,” Kwakye Ofosu stated.

He added that the Council later informed the President that its engagement with Justice Akuffo had been unsuccessful and recommended that her resignation be accepted.

“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 said.

Government says steps have already been initiated to fill the vacancy created by Justice Akuffo's departure.

Kwakye Ofosu noted that the Constitution provides a clear process for replacing members of the Council of State and assured that the matter is being handled in accordance with the law.

“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 stated.

Justice Akuffo served as Chief Justice of Ghana from 2017 until her retirement in 2020. She was subsequently appointed to the Council of State as one of the eminent persons selected by the President to provide counsel on governance, public policy and national development.

Her resignation marks the first high-profile departure from the current Council of State and leaves a vacancy on the constitutional advisory body, which plays a key role in assisting the President in the discharge of his duties under the 1992 Constitution.

Government officials have indicated that the process to appoint a successor is expected to be determined in the coming weeks.

VPO