Her Ladyship Justice Sophia Akuffo (Rtd CJ) is a distinguished Ghanaian jurist with a legal career spanning over four decades, culminating in her service as the Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana from June 2017 to December 2019. Her judicial journey is marked by long-standing service as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana for twenty-four years. On the international stage, she held prominent roles at the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, serving as a Judge, Vice-President, and ultimately as President of the Court from 2012 to 2014.
Justice Akuffo’s distinguished legal career is anchored by an LLB from the University of Ghana and an LLM from Harvard Law School, where she studied as a Fulbright Scholar. Her professional journey began in private practice and corporate law, notably serving as the Legal and Relations Manager and Company Secretary for Mobil Oil Ghana Limited, with functional oversight for operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Her judicial tenure is marked by significant leadership at both national and continental levels
She served as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana from November 1995 until her retirement in December 2019.She culminated her judicial service as the Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana from June 2017 to December 2019.Internationally, she served as a Judge of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, rising to the positions of Vice-President and eventually President of the Court.
Beyond the bench, Justice Akuffo has demonstrated extensive leadership in public service, including chairing the Governing Council of the University of Ghana and the COVID-19 National Trust Fund. A Fellow of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, her contributions to the state have been recognized with honors such as the President’s Millennium Excellence Award for Outstanding Statesmen and Women.
In accordance with the Constitution of Ghana, the Council of State includes four ex-officio members: a former Chief Justice, a former Inspector General of Police (IGP), a former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), and the President of the National House of Chiefs. Following this constitutional provision, Justice Sophia Abena Boafoa Akuffo was appointed to the 9th Council of State in February 2025 by President John Dramani Mahama in her capacity as a former Chief Justice.