Also known as: Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS · ECOWAS Community Court of Justice · ECOWAS Community Court · ECCJ
Regional West African court whose credibility depends on independence and enforcement of its decisions, according to recent coverage.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
Joy Online
… In Federation of African Journalists and Others v Republic of The Gambia, the ECOWAS Court held that Gambian criminal laws on sedition, defamation and false news violated freedom of expression and liberty and required the State to bring its legal framework into conformity with it …
Silence has entered our homes : Salomey Awiti Bafoh and the chilling effect of free expression in GhanaJoy Online
The Dean of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) Law School, Prof Ernest Kofi Abotsi, has called for reforms to make the ECOWAS Court of Justice more accessible and responsive to the everyday rights concerns of citizens across West Africa. …
Prof Abotsi wants ECOWAS Court to bring regional justice closer to citizensJoy Online
The Dean of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) Law School, Prof Ernest Kofi Abotsi, has called on the ECOWAS Court of Justice to establish clearer and more predictable boundaries for exercising its jurisdiction to strengthen public confidence in the regional jud …
Prof Abotsi calls for clearer jurisdictional boundaries to strengthen ECOWAS CourtJoy Online
The Dean of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) Law School, Prof Kofi Abotsi, has warned that the credibility and future effectiveness of the ECOWAS Court of Justice will depend largely on its ability to remain independent and ensure that its decisions are respec …
ECOWAS Court credibility depends on enforcement, judicial independence – Prof AbotsiDaily Guide
… Justice Amoako Asante previously served as President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice after he was appointed to the Community Court of Justice in July 2018. …
Mahama Swears In 3 New SC JudgesThe Ghanaian Times
… He noted that Justice Asante brought both national and regional judicial experience, having served on the Court of Appeal and as a former President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice. …
President Mahama urges new Supreme Court Justices to uphold Constitution and judicial independenceJoy Online
… Justice Amoako Asante brings both national and regional judicial experience, having served on the Court of Appeal and as President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice. …
Mahama tasks new Supreme Court justices to make justice more accessibleJoy Online
… Justice Edward Amoako Asante, a former President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice and a Justice of the Court of Appeal, brings both national and regional judicial experience to the Supreme Court. …
Mahama urges new Supreme Court Justices to draw on diverse experienceJoy Online
… Justice Asante was praised for combining national judicial experience with regional expertise gained from his tenure as President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice. …
Mahama charges new Supreme Court justices to protect judicial independenceDaily Guide
… Justice Asante said his experience at the ECOWAS Court of Justice had exposed him to the growing application of AI and related technologies. …
AI Can Replace Only Lazy Lawyers – Justice AsanteSalomey Awiti Bafoh reflects on how fear of government reprisal—rather than explicit state censorship—is causing Ghanaians to silence themselves and discourage others from criticising government, even in private settings.
30 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Salomey Awiti Bafoh reflects on how fear of government reprisal—rather than explicit state censorship—is causing Ghanaians to silence themselves and discourage others from criticising government, even in private settings.
30 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Prof Ernest Kofi Abotsi has called for reforms to make the ECOWAS Court of Justice more accessible and responsive to citizens' rights concerns across West Africa, arguing the Court must move beyond its traditional judicial role to connect with people affected by cross-border trade, migration, technology and regional integration.
23 September 2026 · Joy Online →
The Dean of UPSA Law School, Prof Ernest Kofi Abotsi, has called on the ECOWAS Court of Justice to establish clearer jurisdictional principles to strengthen public confidence, address sovereignty concerns, and reinforce the Court's legitimacy in West Africa.
23 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Prof Kofi Abotsi, dean of UPSA Law School, warned that the ECOWAS Court of Justice's credibility and effectiveness depend on its ability to remain independent and ensure its decisions are respected, even when politically inconvenient to member states. He identified enforcement of the Court's orders as a difficult challenge, arguing that regional courts become vulnerable when their decisions have significant consequences for governments.
23 September 2026 · Joy Online →
President John Mahama swore in three new Supreme Court justices—Sophia Rosetta Bernasko Essah, Edward Amoako Asante, and Anthony Forson Jnr.—bringing the total number appointed by him since January 7, 2025 to 10. The three were approved by Parliament on August 27, 2026, despite opposition from the Minority who objected to the expedited vetting timeline.
11 September 2026 · Daily Guide →
President John Dramani Mahama urged three newly sworn-in Supreme Court Justices—Sophia Rosetta Bernasko Essah, Edward Amoako Asante, and Anthony Forson Jr.—to uphold the Constitution, administer justice without fear or favour, and remain independent when handling politically sensitive cases. He stressed that their authority depends on public confidence and that they must protect citizens' rights and ensure no individual or institution is above the law.
11 September 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
President Mahama charged three newly sworn Supreme Court justices to bridge the gap between constitutional justice and citizens' everyday experiences, stressing that judicial independence must be matched by efficiency, accountability, and timely justice delivery. He said the judiciary's credibility depends on the quality of decisions and whether ordinary Ghanaians can access justice without undue delay.
10 September 2026 · Joy Online →
President Mahama has urged three newly sworn-in Justices of the Supreme Court—Sophia Rosetta Oduokouan Bernasko-Essah, Edward Amoako Asante, and Anthony Forson Jnr.—to draw on their diverse professional and judicial experiences to enrich the Court's deliberations and contribute to the development of Ghanaian law.
10 September 2026 · Joy Online →
President John Mahama has urged three newly sworn-in Supreme Court justices to uphold the Constitution, protect judicial independence, and ensure their decisions strengthen public confidence in Ghana's justice system. He stated that the Court's authority rests on the confidence and trust of the people, and cases must be determined independently and impartially according to law.
10 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Justice Edward Amoako Asante, a Supreme Court judge nominee, told Parliament's Appointments Committee that AI is unlikely to replace diligent lawyers but could render lazy lawyers redundant. He advocated integrating AI into Ghana's judicial system to improve efficiency, strengthen legal research, and expedite case determination, citing experience with AI adoption at the ECOWAS Court of Justice.
1 September 2026 · Daily Guide →
Parliament has approved the nominations of Justice Sophia Rosetta Bernasko Essah, Justice Edward Amoako Asante, and private legal practitioner Anthony Forson Jnr for appointment as Justices of the Supreme Court, following the adoption of the Appointments Committee's report. The approval proceeded despite strong objections from the Minority Caucus, who protested the accelerated vetting process, though they did not challenge the nominees personally or the President's constitutional authority to nominate.
27 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Parliament's Appointments Committee has recommended approval of Justice Sophia Rosetta Bernasko Essah, Justice Edward Amoako Asante, and private legal practitioner Anthony Forson Jnr for appointment to Ghana's Supreme Court, which would increase the number of justices from 18 to 21. The recommendation came after a contentious vetting process during which the Minority Caucus walked out in objection to the compressed procedure and the lack of public opportunity to submit memoranda on the nominees.
27 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Parliament's Appointments Committee is vetting three Supreme Court nominees despite a boycott by the Minority, which objects to the compressed timetable. The Minority argues that because the Supreme Court already has its full complement of Justices, the appointments should not be treated as urgent and the committee needs more time to review the nominees' records.
27 August 2026 · Joy Online →
An opinion piece argues that Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin is behaving "like a Tarzan," defying laws by making personal insults against judges under the guise of criticism, drawing a parallel to Dr Charles Wereko-Brobby's unlicensed 1994 radio station. The writer distinguishes between lawful criticism and unlawful personal insults, contending that Afenyo-Markin's allegations that judges serve "the interests of their paymasters" constitute insults that require proof.
22 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Professor Kofi Abotsi, Dean of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) Law School, will deliver the keynote address at a high-level gathering of the ECOWAS Court of Justice in Dakar, Senegal, scheduled for September 21 to 25, 2026. He will speak on the intersection between the Court's work, justice and innovation, and the future of West African regional integration.
23 July 2026 · Joy Online →
President John Dramani Mahama has nominated two Court of Appeal judges and a former President of the Ghana Bar Association for appointment to the Supreme Court, a move that will increase the apex court's membership if approved. The nominees — Justice Sophia Rosetta Bernasko Essah, Justice Edward Amoako Asante, and Tony Forson — will appear before Parliament's Appointments Committee for vetting before submission to the House for approval.
16 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana's Supreme Court issued an 84-page judgment affirming the constitutionality of the procedure used to remove former Chief Justice Gertrude Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, dismissing consolidated lawsuits that challenged the President's actions and the Council of State's role. The decision clarified the removal process, upheld the self-executing nature of Article 146, and set a precedent for future constitutional disputes over judicial independence and executive authority.
3 July 2026 · Joy Online →
The Supreme Court has dismissed all four suits challenging the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo from office, finding no legal basis to grant relief. This follows the ECOWAS Court's rejection last week of applications seeking to overturn her removal, closing legal challenges at both the domestic and regional levels.
2 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
DCOP Ayamga Akolgo has disclosed that he was one of the petitioners seeking the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, citing her abuse of judicial office, incompetence, and lack of judicial temperament. He states the President found merit in his petition and took action following consultation with the Council of State.
2 July 2026 · Joy Online →
The Supreme Court has unanimously dismissed consolidated cases challenging the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, with a seven-member panel ruling that the suits lacked merit. Torkornoo was removed from office on September 1, 2025, following recommendations by a five-member committee of inquiry that found her culpable of breaches including alleged misuse of public funds and violations of constitutional procedures.
2 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has mounted a multi-pronged legal challenge to her removal, involving five Supreme Court cases, three High Court suits (one abandoned), and a regional ECOWAS Court case that was dismissed on June 24, 2026, according to Deputy Attorney General Dr Justice Srem-Sai.
27 June 2026 · Joy Online →
The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice dismissed all seven claims filed by former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo against Ghana, ending regional court proceedings over her suspension and removal from office. Legal practitioner Oliver Barker-Vormawor reflected that such constitutional disputes unfold on parallel legal and political tracks, with courts applying legal principles while public discourse develops independently along political lines.
27 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Alexander Twum-Barimah, Deputy Director-General of the Narcotics Control Commission, has dismissed suspended former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo's claims of an unfair trial, stating that constitutional procedures were followed and that she was served with documents, allowed to respond within about 10 days, and given opportunity to be heard.
27 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Suame MP John Darko told Newsfile that the removal proceedings against Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, though framed in legal terms, were inherently political and reflected a predetermined political intention by actors involved. He argued that while the case engaged constitutional and human rights questions, the underlying dynamics pointed to a politically driven process rather than a purely judicial dispute.
27 June 2026 · Joy Online →
The Member of Parliament for Suame has commended former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo for pursuing legal redress after the ECOWAS Court of Justice dismissed her application, saying she demonstrated exemplary commitment to the rule of law and urged citizens to follow lawful procedures when seeking justice.
27 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Joy Online reports that Newsfile, a Saturday broadcast show hosted by Samson Lardy Anyenini, will convene a panel of experts to discuss recent developments including the ECOWAS Court's dismissal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo's application, the jailing of Herald managing editor Larry Dogbe, a $208 million methamphetamine seizure linked to Ghana, and the "Ken Must Go" campaign calling for NPP stalwart Kennedy Agyapong's dismissal from the party.
26 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana's Newsfile programme will discuss recent legal and governance developments including the ECOWAS Court's dismissal of former Chief Justice Torkornoo's application, the jailing of Herald Managing Editor Larry Dogbe, a $208 million methamphetamine seizure linked to Ghana, and the "Ken Must Go" campaign calling for NPP stalwart Kennedy Agyapong's dismissal from the party.
26 June 2026 · Joy Online →
The President of the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice called on Member States to translate their commitment to enforcing the Court's judgments into concrete action, citing enforcement as a pressing challenge for the regional judicial system. The call came at the Second Meeting of Competent National Authorities in Cotonou, Benin, which brought together officials from eight West African countries to operationalise mechanisms for enforcing Court judgments.
26 June 2026 · Joy Online →
The NPP's Director of Communications, Richard Ahiagba, has called on a future government to revisit the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, describing the ECOWAS Court's dismissal of her claims against Ghana as "deeply disappointing" and alleging the process was unprecedented and hurried with constitutional safeguards disregarded.
25 June 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
NPP Communications Director Richard Ahiagbah has called on Ghanaians to remain vigilant in defending judicial independence following the ECOWAS Court of Justice dismissal of former Chief Justice Torkornoo's claims, arguing the development has implications for constitutional governance and democratic institutions beyond her individual case.
25 June 2026 · Joy Online →