Sophia Akuffo, the former Chief Justice, has defended her nomination to the 9th Council of State, arguing that it is in accordance with the constitution.
Madam Akuffo was one of 31 new members of the advisory board who were sworn in by President John Mahama on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.
She stressed that she is acting independently and not as a representative of the judiciary in response to questions regarding her appointment, which have caused conflicting reactions among some Ghanaians.
“I am a former Chief Justice, am I not? Do I or do I not qualify? Many people actually expected me to be selected,” she said while speaking to journalists after the ceremony at the Jubilee House.
She emphasized that her responsibility is not to simply support decisions and further promised that she would be open and honest with the President.
“The Council of State is a body that is supposed to be advising the president. I am not going to be singing his master’s voice, so to speak. An adviser does not parrot.
“An adviser speaks with honesty. An adviser looks to the best interest not only of the person they are advising but of the function the person is serving,” she added.
