(L-R) ,Baffo-Bonnie, Gertrude Torkornoo, Anin-Yeboah and Sophia Akuffo
Since its establishment in 1876, the Office of the Chief Justice has been led by 28 individuals, from Sir David Patrick Chalmers, the first Chief Justice of the Gold Coast, to Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, who became Ghana’s 28th Chief Justice in 2025.
Over nearly 150 years, the office has evolved through colonial rule, independence, periods of military government and constitutional democracy, reflecting the changing history of Ghana’s Judiciary.
Read the story originally published by GhanaWeb on November 18, 2026,
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie became the Chief Justice of Ghana on November 17, 2026, after he was sworn in by President John Dramani Mahama.
The Office of the Chief Justice was created in 1876 long before Ghana became an independent country as a key component of the newly established Supreme Court of Judicature for the Gold Coast Colony.
The appointment of the Chief Justice and the role of the person who holds that office have evolved since its creation.
Chief Justices now serve as the heads of the judiciary, an equally important branch of the three arms of government, responsible for the interpretation of the country's laws. The person who occupies the Office of the Chief Justice is therefore responsible for its administration.
Twenty-five (25) men and three women have been appointed as Chief Justices, regarded as the fourth-highest official in Ghana, since its creation.
This article looks at all the men and women who have taken on the role since its creation.
1. Sir David Patrick Chambers
Sir David Peters Chambers was the first person to appointed Chief Justice of Ghana. He served in the role from 1876 to 1878.
2. P A Smith
Sir Patrick Chambers was succeeded by P A Smith who served as Chief Justice from 1876 to 1878.
3. Sir James Marshall
Then Sir James Marshall, who served as Chief Justice who served as the then Gold Coast Chief Justice from 1880 to 1882.
4 N. Lessingham Bailey
After Sir Marshall came N. Lessingham Bailey Esq. He was Chief Justice from 1882 to 1886.
5. H.W. Macleod
H.W. Macleod took over from Lessingham Bailey Esq. as Chief Justice in 1886 and served in the role until 1889.
6. J.T. Hutchinson
After Macleod came J.T. Hutchinson, the Chief Justice of the Gold Coast from 1889 to 1895.
7. Sir William Brandford Griffith
From 1895 to 1911, the Chief Justice of the Gold Coast was Sir William Brandford Griffith.
8. Philip Crampton Symly
After Sir Griffith came Philip Crampton Symly, who was Chief Justice from 1911 to 1928.
9. Sir George Campbell Deane
Sir George Campbell Deane succeeded Crampton Symly and served as Chief Justice from 1929 to 1935.
10. Sir Philip Bertie Petrides
Sir Philip Bertie Petrides took over from Campbell Deane and served from 1936 to 1943.
11. Sir Walter Harragin
Sir Walter Harragin succeeded Sir Petrides and served as Chief Justice from 1943 to 1947.
12. Sir Mark Wilson
Sir Mark Wilson was the last Chief Justice of the Gold Coast, and he served from 1948 to 1956.
He was the last white Chief Justice of Ghana.
13. Sir Arku Korsah
Sir Kobina Arku Korsah was the first African Chief Justice of the Gold Coast and the first Justice of an independent Ghana. He served in the role from 1956 to 1963.
14. Julius Sarkodie-Addo
Julius Sarkodie-Addo was the second Chief Justice of Ghana during the First Republic. He served in the role from 1964 to 1966.
15. Edward Akufo-Addo
Edward Akufo-Addo, the father of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was Chief Justice from 1966 to 1970.
16. Edmund Alexander Lanquaye Bannerman
Edmund Alexander Lanquaye Bannerman was the Chief Justice of Ghana between 1970 and 1972. He was the fourth person to hold this position since Ghana became independent in 1957.
17. Samuel Azu Crabbe
Samuel Azu Crabbe was Chief Justice from 1973 to 1977.
18. Fredrick Kwasi Apaloo
Fredrick Kwasi Apaloo served as Ghana's Chief Justice from 1977 to 1986.
19. Justice Ernest Nee Pobee Sowah
Justice Ernest Nee Pobee Sowah was Chief Justice from 1986 to 1990.
20. Philip Edward Archer
Philip Edward Archer was Chief Justice of Ghana from 1991 to 1995.
Supreme Court upholds removal of ex-Chief Justice Torkornoo
21. Isaac Kobina Abban
Isaac Kobina Donkor Abban was Chief Justice between 1995 and 2001.
22.Edward Kwame Wiredu
Edward Kwame Wiredu was Chief Justice from 2001 to 2003.
23. George Kingsley Acquah
George Kingsley Acquah was appointed Chief Justice in 2003, he served in the role until his retirement in 2007.
24. Georgina Theodora Wood
Georgina Theodora Wood was the first woman Chief Justice of Ghana
25. Sophia Abena Boafoa Akuffo
Sophia Abena Boafoa Akuffo was Chief Justice from June 2017 until December 2019. She was the second female Chief Justice.
26 Kwasi Anin-Yeboah
Kwasi Anin-Yeboah was appointed in 2019 and served in the position until his retirement.
He served as a Justice of the High Court from 2002 to 2003 and the Court of Appeal in Ghana.
27. Gertrude Torkornoo
Gertrude Torkornoo, the third female to occupy the highest office of the Judiciary, was Chief Justice of Ghana from 2023 to 2025.
28. Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie
He is the 28th Chief Justice and is expected to retire in 2027.
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