Chairman of University Council Authors Book on the Supreme Court of Ghana

Hon. Dr. Justice Samuel Kofi Date-Bah speaking at the launch

The Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana, Her Ladyship Justice Georgina Theodora Wood has launched a book authored by the Chairman of the University Council, Hon. Dr. Justice Samuel Kofi Date-Bah. The book titled “Reflections on the Supreme Court of Ghana”, provides the retired Supreme Court Judges’ insights into the substantive work and function of the Supreme Court in Ghanaian society and Ghana’s legal and political system. 

The Chief Justice noted that aside educating the general public on the nuances of the Supreme Court, the book would serve as a useful guide to those aspiring to be Supreme Court judges. Commending Hon. Justice Date-Bah for his “renewed sense of purpose, diligence, attention to detail” while serving at the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice urged the other retired professionals to emulate his gesture, and publish their memoirs for the benefit of the future generation. She noted that the launch of the book was timely, particularly with reference to the recent expose on corruption in the Judiciary. She also entreated him to come out with more books to further enrich the frontiers of law in Ghana.

A Justice of the Supreme Court, Mr. Justice Jones Dotse and Prof. Emeritus Albert Fiadjoe, former Chairperson of the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) reviewed the book. They both paid glowing tribute to its rich educative text and were exceptionally happy with the clear, concise, simple and scholarly language used. They emphasised the fact that the book could be easily understood by non-lawyers due the approach adopted by the author.

In his remarks, Hon. Justice Date-Bah noted that the primary purpose of the book was to throw light on Ghana’s Supreme Court as an important national governance institution and to make a contribution to comparative law. He expressed his gratitude to his wife Dr. Eugenia Date-Bah, his former colleagues at the Bench, sponsors and all who contributed in diverse ways to make the launch a success.   He acknowledged the significant role played by Mr. Tony Oteng-Gyasi, Chief Executive Officer of Tropical Cable and Conductor Ltd, his predecessor as Chairman of the University Council.

The 263-page book has 12 chapters, with chapters 1 to 6 discussing: The Supreme Court’s position within the court structure of Ghana, The Supreme Court as a Constitutional, Supervisory, Final Appellate, Review and Election Court. Chapters 7 to 12 touched on the other miscellaneous jurisdictions of the Supreme Court, the judicial process at the Supreme Court, some landmark decisions of the Supreme Court, the court’s contribution to the development of Ghanaian law, as well as the Supreme Court’s broader societal role and concluding reflections.

The launch was well-attended by prominent personalities, among them the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Ernest Aryeetey, three former Vice Chancellors of the University, Prof. Akilagpa Sawyerr, Prof. Ivan Addae-Mensah and Prof. C.N.B. Tagoe.  The audience also included members of the judiciary, from the legal profession, academics, law students, family and friends of the Honourable Justice, and members of the public.  The first 100 copies of the book, was sold at GHC15,000, GHC10,000, GHC5,000, GHC2,000, with the lowest going for GHC500.  

Hon. Justice Date-Bah, who has been the Chairman of the University of Ghana University Council since 2009, started lecturing at the University of Ghana School of Law, formerly Faculty of Law, from 1969. He was promoted Senior Lecturer in 1974 and Associate Professor in 1979.  He lectured at some Universities in Nigeria and Kenya and in 1984 took up an international position as Special Advisor (Legal) at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, where he was responsible for legal advisory and negotiating services to developing member states of the Commonwealth. He was appointed Justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana in September 2003 till August 2013 when he retired.

The audience seated at the launch