Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo has warned against what she describes as a troubling pattern of prematurely extending major state agreements, cautioning that such decisions could bind Ghana to long-term, unfavorable commitments.
Speaking on PM Express Business Edition on Joy News, the former Chief Justice questioned why authorities move to renew or extend contracts many years before their expiration dates. She argued that rushing such extensions limits Ghana’s flexibility and may prevent future governments from renegotiating better terms.
“I do not understand why, if there are still several years to go, we should already be extending agreements that will only take effect after the current one expires,” she said. According to her, such arrangements risk tying the country down unnecessarily and should not automatically be presented for parliamentary approval.
Akuffo stressed that contracts should not be treated as unchangeable instruments, insisting that agreements must allow room for review and adjustment as circumstances evolve. She advocated the inclusion of mandatory review clauses in future deals to protect the national interest and ensure that Ghana can respond to shifts in market conditions.
The former Chief Justice also raised concerns about the handling of international arbitration cases involving the state. Referring to disputes involving Tullow Oil, she criticized the practice of settling disputes in foreign jurisdictions, arguing that such processes often place Ghana at a disadvantage and expose the country to significant financial risk.
Akuffo further pointed to what she described as more balanced arrangements in other sectors, citing the agreement involving Atlantic Lithium as an example of a structure that better safeguards national revenue interests.
Her remarks add to ongoing public debate over how Ghana negotiates and manages contracts in strategic sectors such as oil, gas and mining. With Parliament frequently called upon to ratify long-term agreements, her comments underscore growing calls for greater scrutiny, flexibility and long-term planning in the country’s contractual obligations.
“We must never lock ourselves into arrangements that limit our options as a nation,” she cautioned.