On 29 April 2025, Suurbaareh, was nominated by President John Dramani Mahama for to the Supreme Court of Ghana bench, alongside six other Court of Appeal justices: Justice Sir Dennis Dominic Adjei, Justice Senyo Dzamefe, Justice Kweku Tawiah Ackaah-Boafo, Justice Philip Bright Mensah, Justice Janapare Bartels-Kodwo, and Justice Hafisata Amaleboba. The nominations were made pursuant to Article 144(2) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, which authorizes the President to nominate Supreme Court justices with the advice of the Judicial Council and subject to parliamentary approval. The nomination was formalized in a letter signed by Callistus Mahama, Secretary to the President, addressed to the Acting Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie.[10]
Suurbaareh, underwent vetting by Parliament's Appointments Committee on Monday, 16 June 2025, as part of his nomination for appointment to the Supreme Court of Ghana. He was the third and final nominee vetted that day, following Justice Senyo Dzamefe and Justice Sir Dennis Dominic Adjei, as part of a group of seven Court of Appeal justices, which also included Justice Philip Bright Mensah, Justice Janapare Adzua Bartels-Kodwo, Justice Hafisata Amaleboba, and Justice Kweku Tawiah Ackaah-Boafo. The vetting, conducted under Article 144(2) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, took place at 10:00 a.m. in Committee Rooms 1, 2, and 3 at the New Administration Block of Parliament.[11]
During the vetting, Justice Suurbaareh addressed several issues. He opposed proposals to cap the number of Supreme Court justices, arguing that the 1992 Constitution's provision for a minimum of nine justices, excluding the Chief Justice, allows the appointing authority flexibility to appoint as many justices as needed based on the court's caseload. He stated that limiting appointments could lead to delays or overburden existing justices, particularly given the increasing volume and complexity of constitutional cases. On judicial corruption, he described public perceptions of widespread corruption as exaggerated, attributing some misconceptions to confusion between the judiciary (judges and magistrates) and the judicial service (administrative staff). He acknowledged instances of misconduct but stressed that they were not representative of the judiciary as a whole.[12][13][14]
Responding to questions about judicial accountability, Justice Suurbaareh referenced the 2015 exposé by journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, which led to the suspension of several judges. He supported efforts to uncover misconduct but stressed the need to balance such exposés with protecting individual rights. He noted that judges are required to declare assets periodically, citing his own compliance in Kumasi the previous year. On judicial impartiality, he affirmed that judges’ allegiance lies with the Constitution, not the appointing authority or political parties.[14]
Suurbaareh also addressed proposals for an independent body to oversee judicial appointments, questioning its effectiveness in eliminating executive influence, as the executive would likely appoint the body's members. He maintained that the existing appointment process; presidential nominations with Judicial Council advice, Council of State consultation, and parliamentary vetting, provided sufficient checks and balances. Regarding constitutional reform, he proposed extending the removal procedure for the Chief Justice to all Superior Court judges to enhance fairness and consistency, as the current system allows the Chief Justice alone to determine prima facie cases for other judges’ removal. He also advocated for the re-establishment of regional tribunals to handle specialized criminal cases, such as corruption and narcotics, to expedite justice and reduce the burden on conventional courts. Additionally, he pointed out the issue of judicial reluctance to serve in rural areas, urging the judiciary's leadership to enforce equitable staffing across all courts.[14]
On 18 June 2025, Parliament approved the appointment of Suurbaareh to the Supreme Court of Ghana, along with six other Court of Appeal justices: Justice Sir Dennis Dominic Adjei, Justice Senyo Dzamefe, Justice Kweku Tawiah Ackaah-Boafo, Justice Philip Bright Mensah, Justice Janapare Bartels-Kodwo, and Justice Hafisata Amaleboba. The approval followed the presentation of a report by the Appointments Committee, which had vetted the nominees from 16 June to 18 June 2025, and was finalized through a plenary debate and a voice vote. The Minority caucus opposed the nominations, arguing that they were inconsistent with the recent suspension of the Chief Justice and raised constitutional concerns, asserting that the Supreme Court had failed to address breaches of natural justice. They further stated that their objections were not fully reflected in the committee's report and confirmed that all Minority members voted against the nominations. Despite this opposition, the Majority's support secured the approval of Justice Suurbaareh and the other nominees, enabling their elevation to the Supreme Court.[10]
On Thursday. 3 July 2025, Suurbaareh was sworn in as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana by President John Dramani Mahama during a ceremony at the Jubilee House in Accra. Justice Suurbaareh was one of seven newly appointed justices, alongside Justices Senyo Dzamefe, Sir Dennis Dominic Adjei, Kweku Tawiah Ackaah-Boafo, Philip Bright Mensah, Janapare Bartels-Kodwo, and Hafisata Amaleboba, all elevated from the Court of Appeal. During the ceremony, President Mahama highlighted the judiciary's role in upholding democratic governance and the rule of law, urging Justice Suurbaareh and the other justices to maintain integrity, fairness, and impartiality in their duties.[15]