Justice Philip Bright Kwabena Mensah, a Supreme Court Judge, has gracefully retired after 50 years of dedicated service to Ghana’s Judiciary.
On July 3, 2025, Justice Mensah was appointed to the Supreme Court by President John Dramani Mahama.
As an astute jurist, he started working with the Judiciary as a court recorder (typist) and moved through the roles of assistant registrar, Registrar of Magistrate, Circuit and High Courts and Regional administrative officer before his judicial appointment.
His retirement starts on Thursday, February 12, 2026, after attaining the constitutionally mandated required age 70.
At the Valedictory Judgement Ceremony held at the Supreme Court on Wednesday, Justice Gabriel Scot Pwamang, a Supreme Court Judge, described Justice Mensah as a jurist whose career was embodied with dedication, perseverance, and abiding faith in the institutions of justice.
Justice Pwamang, the Acting Chief Justice, said while retirement marked the end of active service in the Judicial Service, it did not diminish the value of a live fully devoted in the judiciary and Ghana as a country.
He said Justice Bright Mensah’s journey through the Judicial Service was remarkable and instructive.
Justice Mensah, who worked with the Judiciary as a court recorder, rose through the ranks through diligence and an unshakable commitment to self-improvement, he said.
“True careers better illustrate what institutional loyalty, hard work and good management could achieve,” Justice Pwamang said.
He said Justice Mensah would be missed on the bench for his selfless roles and significant contributions.
Mrs Efua Ghartey, President of Ghana Bar Association, said Justice Mensah, throughout his life on the bench, had exhibited the highest standards in judicial office roles.
Those highest standards had not only ended in the judgement he had produced but also the daily conduct of proceedings.
She said members of the Bar who had ever appeared before Justice Mensah would attest to his fairness, standing by facts, and rigorous questioning.
“Indeed, his court was a place where preparation was sine qua non, precision mattered and courtesy was not optional. His cogent judgements were marked by intellectual principles and an unquestioning awareness of the duty to do substantial justice.
Mrs Ghartey said Justice Mensah balanced assertiveness to precedent effectively with practical reality.
For many lawyers, his Judgements had provided legal guidance and cogent legal resources for successful legal outcomes.
Justice Dr Cyracus Badinye Bapuurah, Acting Judicial Secretary, said Justice Mensah held on the rule of law and he inspired young lawyers and colleagues on the bench.

Many people had experienced the positive impact of the retired judge and his legacy in the judiciary would continue to shape judicial history, he noted.
Mr Samuel Afotey Otu, President of the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG), said Justice Mensah’s service to the Judiciary had been exemplary and impactful.
He noted that the ceremony was not just a farewell but a moment of reflection on the passion that Justice Mensah had for workers of the Judiciary.
“Indeed, Justice Mensah was a strong and consistent advocate for staff welfare. This advocacy, conferred on him to take up the Regional Secretary of JUSAG in the Western Region where he championed the welfare of staff,’ Mr Otu said.
Justice Mensah, on his part, expressed gratitude to all those who encouraged him to get to the top, saying his aim was to achieve the greatest feat by getting to the Supreme Court.
The highlight of cases he had presided over included the Republic verses Kwabena Duffour, and Stephen Kwabena Opuni and two others verses the Republic.