Manhyia Palace to Host Supreme Court’s Second Sesquicentennial Lecture

The Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Jubilee Hall at the Manhyia Palace will host the second lecture of the Supreme Court as part of activities marking its 150th Anniversary celebration.

The month-long celebration will feature the second lecture under the theme, “The Supreme Court and the Institution of Chieftaincy: the Past, the Present and the Future,” on July 16, 2026.

Permission for the event was sought from the King of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, by the Judicial Service of Ghana led by Chief Justice, CJ, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie during a courtesy call.

His delegation included Musah Ahmed, Judicial Secretary; Justice Kwesi Boakye, Court of Appeal Judge; Justice Mrs Hannah Taylor, High Court Judge; Justice Rosemary Baa, High Court Judge; Justice Kwamina Baiden, Court of Appeal Judge; and Justice Agyei Frimpong, Justice of the Supreme Court.

Sesquicentennial Celebration
Speaking on behalf of the Chief Justice, Justice Frimpong, who is also the Head of the Planning Committee, noted that the Supreme Court was established in 1876 with the core mandate to protect the Constitution and democracy.

He cited instances where the Supreme Court had honoured its mandate and instilled sanity and peace, including cases on demonstrations and permits with the police, the franchise of prisoners, and election petitions.

“The Supreme Court has served the nation with distinction over the years, and it is for this reason that leadership has decided to mark its 150th anniversary. The occasion will be used to reflect on the Court’s journey and make the necessary reforms. The celebration is being held under the theme: ‘Supreme Court at 150: Honouring the Past, Celebrating the Present and Defining the Future.’”

Lecture
He informed His Majesty about three lectures scheduled as part of the activities.

The first, he said, took place in the Central Region, which hosted the country’s first foreign court.

According to him, the second lecture will take place in Kumasi to honour the city as the citadel of the chieftaincy institution.

“The Constitution vests the Supreme Court with the exclusive mandate to adjudicate chieftaincy matters. In line with this, the Court has built a strong working relationship with Nananom. That is why we have dedicated the second lecture to Nananom for deliberations. We deemed it appropriate to host it in Kumasi, since the National House of Chiefs is headquartered here. There is no better place to hold it than Kumasi.”

The lecture will take place on July 16, with Prof. Ivor Agyeman-Duah, Director of the Manhyia Museum, as the speaker.

He used the occasion to seek the permission of the Asantehene to host the event at the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Jubilee Hall at the Manhyia Palace, and also extended a formal and humble invitation for His Majesty to grace the occasion.

Meanwhile, Justice Frimpong said the final lecture will take place in Accra on July 28, with the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, as the speaker.

Climax
He also informed His Majesty that the event will climax on July 30 with a ceremony expected to be attended by President John Dramani Mahama.

He further extended an invitation to the Asantehene for this event as well.

Legacy Project
To leave a lasting impact of the milestone, he said the Judicial Service is planning to build a court complex in Tema to befit the status of the port city, as well as renovate a court in Cape Coast.

Support
The occupant of the Golden Stool assured the Service of his full support and announced his approval for the Jubilee Hall to host the event.

“We will ensure this event is conducted with honour. Our door is open to you. This is a national event, and an opportunity to address what has gone wrong and define the path ahead.”

Otumfuo also accepted the invitation to attend the event on July 16, stating that it will provide the opportunity to understand many important issues.

“All of this is in the best interest of Ghana. The 150th Anniversary celebration will give us the opportunity to understand many important issues.”

His Majesty expressed support for the Constitution.

“The country is governed by law. Our traditions constitute law, just as the laws introduced by the colonial powers do. All of these have been codified together in the Constitution. No one is above the law.”

Story by Hajara Fuseini

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