Ghana’s first female Chief Justice, Georgina Theodora Wood
Since the inception of Ghana’s Fourth Republic on January 7, 1993, three remarkable women have held the esteemed position of Chief Justice; the highest office in the country’s judiciary.
These trailblazing women are Georgina Theodora Wood, Sophia Akuffo, and Gertrude Torkornoo.
While each brought distinct leadership styles and made huge contributions to the judiciary, Georgina Wood stands out for a historic feat.
She is the only Chief Justice in the Fourth Republic to have sworn in four Presidents, marking her tenure as a particularly memorable chapter in Ghana’s constitutional journey.
Justice Wood’s judicial career began with her appointment to the Court of Appeal in 1991.
By 2000, she had become the most senior judge in the court. In November 2002, she was elevated to the Supreme Court.
Her trailblazing journey culminated in June 2007 when former President John Agyekum Kufuor appointed her as Chief Justice, making her the first woman in Ghana’s history to hold that position.
Here is a profile of Ghana’s first female CJ
Born on June 8, 1947, Georgina Theodora Wood began her academic journey at Bishop Girls’ School in Accra. She later attended Methodist Primary School in Dodowa and Mmofraturo Girls’ Boarding School in Kumasi.
She continued her education at Wesley Girls’ High School in Cape Coast from 1960 to 1966, before earning her Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Ghana, Legon, in 1969.
After graduating from the Ghana Law School in 1970 with a Second Class Upper Division in the Bar examinations, she was called to the Bar the same year.
Georgina Wood’s public service career began in the Ghana Police Service, where she served as a Deputy Superintendent of Police after completing an officers’ training course at the Police College in 1971.
In 1974, she transitioned to the judiciary, beginning as a Magistrate at the District Court.
Her rise through the judicial ranks was marked by professionalism, integrity, and a deep commitment to justice.
Her tenure as Chief Justice was not only defined by landmark judicial reforms and principled leadership, but also by her central role in Ghana’s peaceful democratic transitions.
She made history by swearing in four Presidents during her time in office: Professor John Evans Atta Mills in 2009, John Dramani Mahama in 2012, following the passing of President Mills, John Dramani Mahama again in 2013 after his electoral victory and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2017
After her retirement in June 2017, she was succeeded by Justice Sophia Akuffo, the second woman to hold the office who served until 2019.
Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, the third female Chief Justice, later followed in her footsteps, continuing the legacy of female leadership in Ghana’s judiciary.
JKB/EB
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