Sophia Akuffo calls for restrictions on “unnecessary” appeals to Supreme Court

Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo has urged the reduction of frivolous appeals to the Supreme Court, stating that such appeals are prolonging the delivery of justice. She highlighted that some cases are escalated to the apex court through interlocutory appeals, even when the core issues are still pending at the High Court. "There are also matters that come to the Supreme Court only on what is called interlocutory appeal, which is so unnecessary and shouldn't have come to the Supreme Court because the case itself might still be in the High Court," Akuffo stated during an appearance on Accra-based Channel One TV.

According to her, these appeals can linger in the Supreme Court for years, thereby delaying the resolution of the main cases. Akuffo proposed that more cases should be concluded at the Court of Appeal, especially when they do not involve significant constitutional questions or novel legal issues. "A lot of other matters should end in the Court of Appeals if they don't raise new issues or very sensitive constitutional issues," she emphasized.

These remarks come as Ghana's justice system continues to face criticisms over delays. The former Chief Justice emphasized the necessity of streamlining the appeals process and expediting case resolutions to enhance access to justice.