Richard Adjei-Frimpong

Richard Adjei-Frimpong is a Ghanaian judge and an active justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana.

Early life and education Adjei-Frimpong was born in Acherensua, Ahafo Region, on 27 February 1971. He attended Acherensua Methodist L/A Primary School from 1976 to 1984 for his primary and middle school education. His ordinary-level education and advanced-level education were completed at Acherensua Secondary School (now Acherensua Senior High School) from 1984 to 1989 and from 1989 to 1991, respectively. He then pursued a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree at the University of Ghana from 1992 to 1996. After obtaining his LL.B., he attended the Ghana School of Law for his professional legal education and was called to the bar in 1998. In 2014, he received a Master of Laws degree in International Maritime Law from the International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI) in Malta. His dissertation was entitled Safeguarding the Rights of the Seafarer in Case of Criminalization: The Role of the Coastal State’s Judiciary.

Career During his mandatory national service, the nominee served as an administrative staff and legal officer in the non-Formal Education Division from 1991 to 1992 and 1998 to 1999, respectively. He then worked in private legal practice at Otu-Essel & Associates in Sunyani from 1998 to 2003. In 2003, he began his career in the Judicial Service of Ghana as a District Magistrate in Bekwai. He served as a judge of the circuit courts in Bekwai and Kumasi from 2004 to 2008 and 2008 to 2010, respectively. From 2010 to 2020, he worked as a Justice of High Courts in Accra, Tema, and Sekondi. Since 2020, he has been serving as a Justice of the Court of Appeal and a resource person at the Judicial Training Institute. He is also a guest lecturer at the University of Ghana School of Law since February 2023, teaching Admiralty Law. He is currently the Chairman of the Medical Refund Committee in the Judicial Service.

Vetting and approval Adjei-Frimpong was subsequently vetted on 20 December 2023 by the Appointments Committee of Parliament, which was headed by the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei-Owusu. In his vetting, Adjei-Frimpong answered questions on topics such as limiting the number of Supreme Court judges, court process delays, custodial sentencing, his tenure duration at the Supreme Court, work-life balance, perceived judicial corruption, bar-bench dynamics, judgement debt, the e-justice system, his Asutifi Rural Bank board membership, his Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021 stance, the necessity of Supreme Court research assistants, and his views on unreasoned rulings.

On the issue of the Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill of 2021, a bill that aims to regulate human sexual rights and family values, specifically targeting LGBTQ+ activities, he urged Parliament to carefully consider all input on the "Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2022." He stressed the importance of crafting a law that benefits all Ghanaians. Justice Adjei-Frimpong highlighted his duty as a judge to apply the law after Parliament's decisions. During his vetting by the Appointment Committee, he expressed the need for the House to consider stakeholder comments and issues raised in the debate. In response to a question about potential discrimination against minority sexual groups, he reiterated his commitment to following the law.

He was unanimously approved by Parliament on 23 December 2023.

Swearing-in Adjei-Frimpong was sworn into office by President Akufo-Addo on 3 January 2024. The ceremony, in accordance with Article 144 (2) of the 1992 Constitution, marked the appointment of Adjei-Frimpong and his two other colleagues to the Supreme Court. The event, held at the Jubilee House in Accra, included the taking of Allegiance, Judicial, and Secrecy oaths, with the President presenting him with a Warrant of Appointment.

President Akufo-Addo emphasised the Supreme Court's role as the policy court, making crucial decisions on the legal aspects of the country's socio-economic development. He urged the newly appointed justices to ensure that the judiciary earns the people's respect through the quality of justice delivery and the conduct of its judges. The President highlighted the importance of applying the laws without bias, as outlined in the Judicial Oath, irrespective of political, religious, or ethnic affiliations.

Dignitaries in attendance at the ceremony were the Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, members of the Judicial Council, the President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, the Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, and Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame.

Awards Among his accolades, the Adjei-Frimpong received the S.Y. Bimpong-Buta Award for the Best Student in Interpretation of Deeds and Statutes in 1998 and an Award for Patriotic Service to the Country and Humanity in 2019.

Personal life In his free time, he enjoys reading, researching, and playing lawn tennis.