Georgina Theodora Wood
Georgina Theodora Wood, JSC OSG, a Ghanaian judge and former police prosecution officer, served as Ghana's Chief Justice, the first woman in that role. Retired in 2017 after 50 years of service, she remains a member of the Council of State.
5 maart 1974
Career
Wood initially served in the Ghana Police Service as a deputy superintendent and public prosecutor for three years. Later, in 1974, she transitioned to the judicial service, starting as a district magistrate. Over the years, she advanced through the Circuit and High Courts, eventually becoming the presiding judge of the Appeal Court in 1991. Despite initially declining, she was appointed to the Supreme Court by President John Kufuor on November 12, 2002.
5 maart 2006
Georgina Wood committee
The Georgina Wood committee was established on July 4, 2006, to probe the disappearance of 77 packets of cocaine from the MV Benjamin on April 26, 2006. It also investigated allegations of a $200,000 bribe paid to senior police officers by an individual connected to a Venezuelan drug baron, as well as the seizure of 588 kg of cocaine in Mempeasem, East Legon, linked to the Venezuelans.
5 maart 2007
Chief Justice of Ghana
Nominated for Chief Justice of Ghana in May 2007, she gained parliamentary approval on June 1, 2007, becoming the first woman to lead the judiciary in Ghana. At that time, she held the highest-ranking position for a woman in Ghana's political history, until it was surpassed by Justice Joyce Adeline Bamford-Addo's appointment as Speaker of the 5th Parliament in January 2009.
5 maart 2017
Council of State
On June 20, 2017, President Nana Akuffo-Addo swore in Georgina Wood as the 25th and last member of the Council of State. She occupies this position as a former Chief Justice, marking the first time in 22 years that the vacancy has been filled, as Ghana has lacked a living retired Chief Justice since 1995.
