President John Dramani Mahama has nominated seven Justices of the Court of Appeal for elevation to the Supreme Court.
However, this announcement has triggered a response from political figures, including Hon. Kennedy Nyarko Osei, who took to Facebook to share his views on the current state of judicial appointments.
Osei reflected on the previous controversy surrounding President Akufo-Addo’s judicial nominations, which were met with strong opposition from the NDC.
At the time, the NDC argued that the Supreme Court was already “packed” and that some nominees were blocked from assuming their roles. Osei expressed his belief that many Ghanaians were misled into thinking voting against the NPP would solve their problems.
“Most of you who were deceived into thinking that voting against the NPP was the solution to your problems… tighten your belts and if possible get a spare heart somewhere,” Osei wrote, suggesting that the situation surrounding judicial appointments would only get more complex.
He also pointed out that several judges who were duly vetted by Parliament had been blocked from assuming office due to the NDC’s objections, based on the claim that the court was already overwhelmed.
“Ghanaians haven’t seen anything yet,” he added, hinting that the ongoing political and judicial developments would unfold further in the coming months.
On the other hand, President Mahama’s recent nominations of Justice Sir Dennis Dominic Adjei, Justice Gbiel Simon Suurbaareh, and Justice Senyo Dzamefe, among others, are by the constitutional powers granted under Article 144(2) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.
The nominated judges are now subject to approval by Parliament. The presidency has underscored the importance of these appointments in a letter signed by Callistus Mahama, the Secretary to the President.
