Meet Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang

Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang is a distinguished Ghanaian jurist and a Justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana. His professional journey spans private legal practice, constitutional reform, public service, partisan politics and judicial administration. He was nominated to the Supreme Court in 2015 by former President John Dramani Mahama and assumed office on 29th June 2015.

Justice Pwamang was born on 17th August 1960 in Ghana. He received his secondary education at Nandom Senior High School, graduating in 1982. He subsequently proceeded to the University of Ghana, where he completed his undergraduate legal studies in 1986. He was called to the Ghana Bar in 1988.

Before his appointment to the Supreme Court, Justice Pwamang spent approximately 26 years in private legal practice. He founded Pwamang and Associates, a law firm where he served as Managing Partner and provided legal consultancy services to various corporations and organisations.

His areas of professional expertise included Land and Natural Resources Law, Human Rights and Criminal Justice. He also served on the boards of several business corporations.

Beyond private practice, he demonstrated a commitment to public interest litigation through his service as Chairman of the Board of the Centre for Public Interest Law (CEPIL), an organisation dedicated to advancing public interest legal issues and protecting the interests of communities and associations.

Between January 2010 and December 2011, Justice Pwamang served as a Commissioner on Ghana's Constitution Review Commission. The Commission was established to examine the 1992 Constitution and recommend possible amendments to strengthen Ghana's constitutional and democratic framework.

He also served on the Commission's drafting committee, which prepared proposed constitutional amendment bills. His participation in this process reflected his contribution to constitutional development and governance in Ghana.

Before his appointment to the Supreme Court, Justice Pwamang was actively involved in partisan politics as a member of the People's National Convention (PNC). Between 1998 and 2007, he served as Deputy General Secretary and subsequently General Secretary of the party.

He contested the Navrongo Central parliamentary seat in the 2004, 2008 and 2012 general elections on the PNC ticket but was unsuccessful on all three occasions.

In 2015, President John Dramani Mahama nominated Justice Pwamang to the Supreme Court following a recommendation by the Judicial Council. He was vetted on 3rd June 2015 and subsequently approved by Parliament.

His appointment encountered some procedural challenges, including a complaint lodged by Eva Oboshie Sai, a member of the General Legal Council. The then Chief Justice, Georgina Theodora Wood, constituted a Disciplinary Committee to investigate the complaint. The committee eventually cleared him after establishing that the complaint had been withdrawn.

He was sworn into office on 29th June 2015, alongside Justice Yaw Appau.

In October 2026, investigative journalist Edward Adeti petitioned President John Dramani Mahama for Justice Pwamang's removal under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution. The petition concerned allegations surrounding a bull reportedly presented during a Judicial Council delegation's visit to the Tongraan's palace at Tongo in June 2023 and Justice Pwamang's subsequent participation in a Supreme Court panel that quashed a contempt conviction in July 2026.

However, following a preliminary inquiry under Article 146(3), the Chief Justice determined on 10 November 2026 that no prima facie case had been established to warrant further investigation. Consequently, the matter was declared closed, with no further proceedings arising from the petition. I am always of the view that frivolous petitions undermine public confidence. Constitutional procedures must not be abused for publicity or personal vendettas but reserved for credible grievances.

Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang's career reflects a combination of legal practice, political participation, constitutional reform and judicial service. His progression from private legal practitioner and political party executive to a Justice of Ghana's highest court represents a significant professional journey. He appears to be the most senior Justice of the Supreme Court in the absence of the current Chief Justice, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie.

His contributions to public interest law and constitutional review also form important aspects of his professional legacy.