Former Supreme Court Judge William Atuguba has stated that during his tenure on Ghana’s apex court, he did not personally experience any direct pressure from the executive to influence judicial decisions, though he acknowledged that indirect forms of influence on judges cannot be entirely dismissed.
Speaking in an interview with Joy News’ Gemma Appiah, Justice Atuguba firmly rejected suggestions that he was ever directed or influenced by external actors in the discharge of his judicial duties. “Me? No, no, no, no,” he said, dismissing the notion of executive interference in his personal experience.
His remarks contribute to an ongoing national discourse on judicial independence in Ghana, particularly in relation to politically sensitive cases involving elections, constitutional interpretation, and executive authority.
However, he distinguished his individual experience from broader institutional realities, noting that while he was not aware of any direct attempts to influence the Supreme Court as a body, informal or indirect pressures on individual judges could not be ruled out.
He explained that the extent to which such influences affect judicial outcomes depends on the personal integrity and disposition of each judge, citing factors such as conscience, upbringing, and professional ethics.
Justice Atuguba further observed that judges operate within a broader political and social environment in which public opinion and political sentiment may intensify around high-profile cases, even in the absence of formal interference.
Referencing the period ahead of Ghana’s 2024 general elections, he noted that heightened public attention and commentary surrounding Supreme Court proceedings can generate an atmosphere of perceived pressure.
He emphasised, however, that such dynamics do not necessarily constitute direct interference. “We all can have an idea about whether there is some political intuition or not,” he remarked.
His comments are expected to further inform ongoing debates on safeguarding judicial independence and maintaining public trust in Ghana’s justice system.
