Kwesi Pratt Jnr, the Managing Editor of The Insight Newspaper, has weighed in on the circumstances surrounding the resignation of former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo from the Council of State.
According to Kwesi Pratt, it is strange for someone of Sophia Akuffo’s stature to step down from her role without clear reasons.
Kwesi Pratt argued that her resignation was linked to her commentary surrounding the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
The veteran journalist highlighted that her public comments on the matter triggered backlash and criticism, which may have influenced her decision to resign.
Speaking during a panel discussion on UTV’s Kokrokoo on June 19, 2026, Kwesi Pratt stated, “She made a comment about the removal of the former Chief Justice and received backlash from the public, with some calling for her resignation. Critics argued that decisions of the Council of State are confidential, so she should not have spoken publicly on the matter. As a result, there were calls for her to step down.
” We know she didn’t give a reason for her resignation and she couldnt have resigned without a reason too”, he noted.
Also, Bernard Kwame Owiredu Esq, a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) legal team member has said Sophia Akuffo must tell Ghanaians why she resigned from the Council of State.
According to the NPP Legal Team Member, Sophia Akuffo must tell Ghanaians her reason, although he believes she resigned because of the former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo’s removal.
In a GHOne news card, Bernard Kwame Owiredu Esq stated, “Sophia Akuffo must tell us why she resigned from the Council of State, even though I believe it has to do with Torkornoo’s removal”.
However, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister of Government Communications, has refuted claims that the former Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo, resigned from the Council of State in protest over the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
According to Kwakye Ofosu, such allegations are speculative and not supported by any official communication from Sophia Akuffo.
He highlighted that the former Chief Justice, who is well noted for being outspoken and highly principled, would have boldly stated if the removal of Gertrude Torkornoo was the reason for her resignation.
Addressing the media during a Government Accountability Series held in Accra on Monday, June 15, Kwakye Ofosu stated, “The former Chief Justice is known for being outspoken and highly principled. When she disagreed with the DDEP, she went on a public manifestation and demonstrated. If she had resigned as a result of Torkornoo’s removal, she would have stated, or she would have found some means to let you know.
“And so it is most unfair to ascribe motives to her when she has not communicated same. Government, as a matter of record, has not received any communication from her in respect of that. She didn’t say that in her letter of resignation.”
Also, Felix Kwakye Ofosu has announced that President John Mahama has accepted Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo’s resignation from the Council of State.
According to Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Sophia Akuffo has officially ceased to be a member of the Council of State.
Addressing journalists on Monday, June 15, Felix Kwakye Ofosu confirmed that the resignation process had been concluded and that steps were underway to appoint a replacement.
He revealed that Sophia Akuffo did not provide reasons for her decision to resign.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, addressing the media, stated, “I can confirm that indeed, Justice Sophia A.B. Akuffo has resigned from her position as a member of the Council of State. She submitted a letter in September 2025 to the President indicating her desire to resign. She did not disclose the reason for wanting to resign”.
“When the President received the letter, he was required then to indicate his acceptance of her resignation. But at the behest of the Council of State, he had to hold on because they said they wanted to engage Justice Sophia Akuffo to see if there was some grievance that she had that was informing the resignation and whether or not there was a way that it could be addressed,” he explained.
“But they went back and said that they had engaged and, as far as they were concerned, the resignation could be accepted. So, the President has formally accepted her resignation, and she is no longer a member of the Council of State,” he added.
He further disclosed, “The law is clear on what processes to undertake to replace her, and that is going on as we speak. So, in due course, a replacement will be announced for Justice Sophia Akuffo,” he said.
🇬🇭 A Ghana Health Service tricycle ambulance overturned after losing control, narrowly escaping a tragedy involving the nurses on board. pic.twitter.com/4exmAIqeU6
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