Supreme Court nominee Justice Senyo Dzamefe has expressed his firm opposition to proposals aimed at extending the retirement age for judges of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal from 70 to 75 years.
Speaking during his vetting by Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, June 16, Justice Dzamefe stated that the current age limit is appropriate and should be maintained.
“I will not agree with sending the retirement ages of Supreme Court or Appeal Court judges to 75. No,” he asserted. “The retirement age as it stands is 70. Superior court judges retire on their salaries.”
While acknowledging the value of age and experience in judicial service, he pointed out that modern technology now allows for faster access to knowledge, reducing the time needed to gain the depth once acquired only through decades of service.
“What you needed 60 or 70 years to know, technology can make available to you very early,” he noted.
Justice Dzamefe also emphasized the importance of allowing judges to retire while still in good health, enabling them to contribute in advisory or support roles post-retirement.
“I want judges to retire very healthy, so we can still use them for other purposes — as assessors or to help filter cases,” he explained.
In closing, he reaffirmed his stance:
“I think we maintain it at 70. That is my opinion.”
