The Supreme Court nominee Justice Barbara Frances Ackah-Yensu has denied claims that President Nana Akufo-Addo, as the appointing authority, is packing the apex court for his own political gain.
Appearing before the appointments committee of Parliament on Tuesday (18 October 2022), the Appeal Court judge, who is being considered for membership of the Supreme Court of Ghana, said the appointing authority is only discharging its duty, including nominating justices.
“With all due respect, I think that’s a misconception,” said Justice Ackah-Yensu during her vetting.
“It’s not a fact that we’re going to be 18 members of the Supreme Court. As a matter of practice, generally speaking, nomination to the Supreme Court is when there are vacancies and when some of the justices are going on retirement.
“I am not agreeing that the Supreme Court is being packed,” she said.
Justice Ackah-Yensu said Ghanaians “still have confidence in the judiciary”.
Watch the full vetting below:
For his part, the Minority Leader in Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu, proposed that the number of Supreme Court nominations that a president can make should be capped.
He said the increased number of judges of the Supreme Court is unwarranted.
Asaase Radio 99.5 broadcasts on radio via 99.5 in Accra, 98.5 in Kumasi, 99.7 in Tamale, 100.3 in Cape Coast and on our affiliates Bawku FM 101.5 in Bawku, Beats FM 99.9 in Bimbilla, Somua FM 89.9 in Gushegu, Stone City 90.7 in Ho, Mining City 89.5 in Tarkwa and Wale FM 106.9 in Walewale
Tune in or log on to broadcasts online: www.asaaseradio.com, Sound Garden and TuneIn
Follow us on Twitter: @asaaseradio995
Live streaming: facebook.com/asaaseradio99.5. Also on YouTube: Asaase Radio Official.
Join the conversation. Call: 020 000 9951 or 059 415 7777. Or WhatsApp: 020 000 0995.
#AsaaseRadio
