A distinguished Supreme Court Justice of Ghana, Justice Julius Ansah, has passed away at the age of 74. His death follows four years of retirement from the bench after a remarkable 41-year career in public service.
Justice Ansah’s legal journey began at the Attorney-General’s Department in Koforidua, where he started as a National Service Person after being called to the Bar.
In 1979, he embarked on his judicial career as a District Magistrate Grade II at Assin Fosu in the Central Region. Two years later, he was promoted to District Magistrate Grade I.
His career advanced further in 1986 when he moved to the Circuit Court, and by 1989, he was serving at the High Court. His initial posting as a High Court Justice was in Tamale, Northern Region, where he also held the position of Supervising High Court Judge.
In 1999, Justice Ansah was promoted to the Court of Appeal, and in 2004, he ascended to the Supreme Court, reaching the pinnacle of his judicial career.
Throughout his tenure, Justice Ansah made significant contributions to the judiciary, including serving on the General Legal Council and the Judicial Council. He also acted as Director of the Public Complaints Unit and Inspectorate Unit, and briefly as Chief Justice.
Upon his retirement, the Judicial Service honored him with a ceremony at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Accra, recognizing his dedicated service. He was awarded a citation, a long service award, and a retirement package.
At the ceremony, then-Chief Justice Anin Yeboah expressed “mixed feelings” about Justice Ansah’s departure, highlighting the profound impact of his long and dedicated service to Ghana’s justice system.
The Chief Justice extolled Justice Ansah for his person and his professionalism on the bench. “Since his very first days on the Bench as a Magistrate some 41 years ago, Justice Julius Ansah has displayed modesty and honesty and demonstrated tremendous insight and excellence.
“These qualities have shown themselves in his work across the length and breadth of our country in the Lower Court through to the High Court – from Assin Fosu to Wenchi, Hohoe, Agona Swedru, Tamale and Sekondi and the Court of Appeal and eventually onto the Supreme Court”, Chief Justice Anin Yeboah said.