His Lordship Justice Philip Bright Mensah has retired from the Supreme Court of Ghana, just months after his appointment to the apex court by President John Dramani Mahama on July 3, 2025.
Justice Mensah leaves the bench after an extraordinary 51 years in public service, comprising 28 years as a judge and 23 years as a judicial service worker.
His career is widely regarded as a rare example of steady professional progression within Ghana’s justice system.
Before becoming a judge, Justice Mensah served in various capacities within the Judicial Service, including as a typist/recorder, clerk, circuit court registrar, deputy regional registrar, and regional registrar.
He later rose through the judicial ranks, serving at different times as a District Court judge, Circuit Court judge, Chairman of a Regional Tribunal, High Court judge, Court of Appeal judge and ultimately Justice of the Supreme Court.
At a ceremony marking his retirement, Justice Mensah delivered a valedictory judgment and reflected on his long years of service to law and justice delivery in Ghana.
Among his notable judicial pronouncements was his ruling in Republic v. Stephen Kwabena Opuni, while at the Court of Appeal, where he held that the decision to start a criminal trial de novo should lie within the discretion of the trial judge, a position seen as a departure from established common law practice.
In brief remarks, Justice Mensah expressed gratitude to colleagues, family members, and acquaintances who supported his career.
He paid special tribute to Her Ladyship Justice Henrietta Joy Abena Nyarko Mensa-Bonsu of the Supreme Court, whom he described as a mentor during his time at the Law School, Legon.
Justice Mensah also shared a personal anecdote, recalling how he was once mistakenly arrested and detained for a day, following a robbery incident in which his chambers was ransacked and food items in his refrigerator consumed by the attackers.
Acting Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, lauded Justice Mensah’s contributions to the judiciary, describing his career as one marked by integrity, dedication and an uncommon commitment to staff welfare.
He noted that Justice Mensah was a strong advocate for judicial service staff, consistently championing their professional development and well-being.
Similarly, the President of the Ghana Bar Association, Mrs. Efua Ghartey, praised Justice Mensah for his high standards on the bench, intellectual clarity, and commitment to substantial justice.
She projected his reputation for rigorous scrutiny of legal arguments, courtesy in court, and respect for lawyers.
Members of the Bar who interacted with Justice Mensah described him as fair, compassionate, intellectually disciplined, and deeply committed to the law.
Many commended his humility, patience, and attentiveness to the substance of cases over procedural technicalities.
The President of the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG), Mr. Samuel Afotey Otu, also paid tribute, describing Justice Mensah’s career as an inspiration and a testament to perseverance, discipline, and service to the nation.
Justice Mensah retires at the constitutionally mandated age, bringing to a close a judicial journey that spanned every level of Ghana’s court system.
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