Stories and facts

Georgina Theodora Wood is a retired Ghanaian judge and former police prosecutor who made history as Ghana’s first female Chief Justice.

She served in the judiciary for nearly 50 years before retiring in 2017 and currently sits on the Council of State.

Educated at Wesley Girls' High School and the University of Ghana, she began her career in the Ghana Police Service before joining the Judicial Service in 1974.

Rising through the ranks, she became a Supreme Court judge in 2002 and was appointed Chief Justice in 2007. During her tenure, she swore in four Presidents and led several key judicial reforms.

In 2006, she chaired a major committee investigating high-profile drug cases, boosting her national profile.

After retiring, she was appointed to the Council of State as the first retired Chief Justice to serve on the body in over two decades.

Wood has received several honours, including the Order of the Star of Ghana. She is also active in church and international legal work, serving on the board of the Global Justice Center.

Despite her achievements, she faced criticism in 2010 over alleged involvement in controversial land allocations under a former government.

Nevertheless, her legacy as a leading figure in Ghana’s judiciary remains significant.

Explore the life of Georgina Theodora Wood below.