Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo is no longer a member of the Council of State after President John Dramani Mahama formally accepted her resignation, ending months of consultations over her decision to step down.
The announcement was made on Monday, June 15, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Government Spokesperson and Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, during the Government Accountability Series.
According to Mr Kwakye Ofosu, Justice Akuffo submitted a resignation letter to the President in September 2025, expressing her desire to leave the constitutional advisory body, noting that reasons for her resignation was not stated.
He explained that although the President was required to acknowledge and accept the resignation, the process was delayed after members of the Council of State requested time to engage the former Chief Justice to determine whether any concerns could be addressed to convince her to remain.
“The Council wanted to engage Justice Sophia Akuffo to find out whether there were any grievances behind her decision and whether those concerns could be resolved,” Mr Kwakye Ofosu said.
However, following their engagement with her, the Council informed the President that her position had not changed and recommended that the resignation be accepted.
“As far as they were concerned, the resignation could be accepted. The President has therefore formally accepted it, and she is no longer a member of the Council of State,” he added.
Justice Akuffo served as Chief Justice from 2017 until her retirement in 2020. She was later appointed to the Council of State as one of the eminent persons selected by the President to provide advice on governance and national development.
Her departure creates a vacancy on the Council, which advises the President on matters of state and constitutional governance.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu disclosed that the process to appoint a replacement is already underway.
“The law is clear on the procedures for replacing a member of the Council of State, and that process is ongoing. In due course, a replacement will be announced,” he said.
Justice Akuffo’s exit marks the first major departure from the current Council of State and comes at a time when the body continues to play a significant role in advising government on policy, governance and constitutional issues.
Government officials say the appointment of a successor will be completed in accordance with constitutional provisions in the coming weeks.
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