Only Justice Annan's circuit court judgments made it into Ghana Law Reports - Atuguba

Retired Supreme Court Justice William Atuguba has revealed that the late Justice Daniel Francis Annan achieved a rare judicial distinction by becoming the only Circuit Court judge to have two of his judgments selected for publication in the Ghana Law Reports.

Justice Atuguba made the remarks at a memorial lecture held on Thursday, July 16, 2026, in honour of Justice DF Annan, the first Speaker of Parliament in Ghana's Fourth Republic, where he described the late jurist as a man of exceptional commitment, integrity and dedication to public service.

According to Justice Atuguba, Justice Annan's remarkable legal ability became evident early in his judicial career when, despite serving as a Circuit Court judge, two of his judgments were deemed significant enough to be published in the Ghana Law Reports, a distinction typically reserved for decisions of the superior courts.

"Now, the remarkable thing about Justice Annan is that even as a Circuit Court judge, he achieved the record of having two of his very eminent and learned judgments specially reported in the Ghana Law Reports by the editors," Justice Atuguba said.

He explained that the editors of the law reports recognised the exceptional quality of the judgments, noting that one of the cases addressed the important legal question of whether a statute merely mentioning an institution automatically exempts it from the ordinary principles governing corporate bodies.

"Who could not know what to do with the sterling quality of those judgments?" he asked.

Justice Atuguba further stated that, to the best of his knowledge, Justice Annan remains the only Circuit Court judge to have attained such a feat.

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"Up to date... he's the only judge who attained that record of having his judgments reported in the Ghana Law Reports even from his office as a Circuit Court judge," he indicated.

He explained that the Ghana Law Reports ordinarily publish decisions from the country's superior courts, beginning with the High Court and extending to the appellate courts.

He said the achievement reflected Justice Annan's unwavering commitment to excellence and passion for the law.

"That's why I'm saying he was a man of great commitment, dedication to whatever he was doing. He had a passion for it," he added.

Justice Atuguba also recounted Justice Annan's rapid rise through the judiciary after his appointment as a Circuit Court judge in 1964, noting that within just over a decade he progressed through the High Court and Court of Appeal before retiring.

He added that Justice Annan embodied the qualities of integrity, humility and professionalism that many lawyers aspired to emulate, describing him as an outstanding public servant whose legacy continues to inspire Ghana's legal and political institutions.

Watch the video below

Justice Atuguba's full speech at Justice D.F. Annan memorial lecture

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