Supreme Court nominee Justice Kweku Tawiah Ackaah-Boafo has firmly advocated for retaining the current retirement age of 70 for judges in Ghana.
He emphasized that the demanding nature of judicial duties requires sufficient time for rest and recovery after years of dedicated public service.
During his vetting before the Parliamentary Appointments Committee on June 20, Justice Ackaah-Boafo described the judiciary as a mentally taxing profession, highlighting the importance of retiring at a sensible age to safeguard judges’ health and allow them to focus on family life.
“I don’t have exact data, but it’s evident that many who retire at 70 soon pass on,” he noted. “Being a judge involves intense pressure, late nights, and long hours crafting judgments.”
While recognizing that some countries set a higher retirement age, he pointed out that those systems often accommodate older judges by reducing their workload.
“In places where judges retire at 75, after turning 70, they can opt to become ‘supernumeraries,’ meaning they take on lighter duties, letting younger judges handle the heavier cases,” he explained.
Justice Ackaah-Boafo concluded that preserving the retirement age at 70 supports a healthier balance between work and personal life for judges as they approach retirement.
“So, I believe 70 is appropriate. Sticking with it means judges can enjoy meaningful time with their families after serving the nation,” he affirmed.
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