BY Issah Olegor
President John Dramani Mahama on Thursday, October 2, swore in 21 High Court judges elevated to the Court of Appeal, fulfilling what many critics describe as his long-stated intention to “rebalance” the judiciary by appointing lawyers and judges perceived to be aligned with the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The ceremony, held at the Jubilee House, featured prominent names, including Dormaahene, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II, and former NDC Member of Parliament for Amenfi East, Justice George Boadi.
In all, 19 others joined the appellate bench, extending the reach of the Court of Appeal across four regions, including a virtual registry in Tamale.
The Elevated Judges
The 21 judges who were elevated to the Court of Appeal are:
1. Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II (Dormaahene) – President of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs and High Court Judge.
2. Justice Senyo Amedahe – formerly of the Koforidua High Court.
3. Justice Olivia Obeng Owusu.
4. Justice Douglas Seidu.
5. Justice Ali Baba Bature.
6. Justice Mariama Samo.
7. Justice Abena Adzin Doku.
8. Justice Mary Maame Akua Yanzu.
9. Justice Justin Dorgu.
10. Justice George Boadi – former NDC MP for Amenfi East.
11. Justice Ayitey Armah-Tetteh.
12. Justice Jennifer Anne Myers Ahmed.
13. Justice John Bosco Nabarese.
14. Justice Kwasi Anokye Gyimah.
15. Justice Richmond Osei Hwere.
16. Justice Apangano Achibonga.
17. Justice Charity Akosua Asem.
18. Justice Enyonam Adinyira.
19. Justice Shiela Minta.
20. Justice Bridget Kafui Antonio.
21. Justice Franklina Gesila Adanu.
Mahama’s Earlier Promise
The development reignites debate over President Mahama’s own remarks in opposition.
In September 2023, at the NDC Lawyers’ Conference in Akosombo, the then opposition leader accused former President Akufo-Addo of “packing the courts” with judges sympathetic to the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
He argued that the Akufo-Addo administration had deliberately appointed politically aligned judges “to protect themselves from accountability after leaving office.” Mahama, therefore, encouraged NDC-affiliated lawyers to prepare themselves for judicial appointments should his party return to power.
“Our lawyers, some of you must be prepared to go onto the bench,” Mahama told his audience. “We’ve seen what the current President has done. He’s appointed the largest number of judges onto the bench… they’ve packed the courts because they want to avoid accountability.”
At the time, his comments attracted sharp criticism from the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), which described them as “inappropriate” and harmful to judicial independence.
Nevertheless, John Mahama’s allies, including the NDC’s Director of Legal Affairs, Edudzi Tamakloe, defended him, arguing that balancing the judiciary was necessary for fairness.
From Opposition To Power
Barely a year later, after winning the 2024 general election, President Mahama has acted on his pledge.
In April 2025, he appointed seven new justices to the Supreme Court, sparking heated opposition in Parliament.
The NPP minority accused him of executing a “premeditated political agenda” rather than acting purely on merit.
The controversy deepened with the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo in mid-2025, raising questions about the separation of powers and the President’s influence over the judiciary. He later dismissed her from both the bench and her position.
Now, with the latest wave of appointments to the Court of Appeal, the debate has reached a new peak.
Dormaahene’s Appointment Raises Questions
Among the most talked-about figures in Thursday’s swearing-in was Justice Daniel Mensah, the Dormaahene, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II.
His elevation is significant not only because he is a traditional ruler but also because of a pending petition filed against him in 2023 by Michael Amoah, alleging misconduct.
Official correspondence from the Presidency in January 2024 under then President Akufo-Addo confirmed that the Chief Justice had determined a prima facie case existed against Justice Daniel Mensah, warranting further investigation under Article 146 of the Constitution.
To date, the outcome of that inquiry has not been made public, raising constitutional concerns about his promotion.
This situation has fueled public debate: How can a Justice be elevated to the appellate bench while a constitutionally mandated disciplinary process remains unresolved? Critics argue this undermines judicial accountability and erodes public confidence.
Mahama’s Call for Integrity
At the ceremony, President Mahama urged the new appellate judges to demonstrate independence, fairness, and resilience in the face of rising public cynicism toward the judiciary.
“In recent times, our courts have not escaped criticism. Citizens have openly and sometimes harshly questioned judicial decisions,” Mahama said. “But criticism is not the end of hope; it is the evidence of hope.”
Osagyefo Agyeman Badu, rejected claims that President Mahama is “packing” the judiciary with loyalists of the ruling NDC.
Speaking to journalists at the Jubilee House after the swearing-in ceremony on Thursday, the Dormaahene defended both his own appointment and that of his colleagues, stressing that competence, not political ties, was the basis for their elevation.
