Josiah
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has nominated three justices of appeal—Henry Anthony Kwofie, Yaw Asare Darko, and Richard Adjei-Frimpong—to fill vacancies resulting from the mandatory retirement of three former Supreme Court justices. The nominees, who are currently members of the Court of Appeal, are under consideration for elevation to the Supreme Court bench, as communicated to Parliament in a letter from the President.
The retirements in question involve former Chief Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah, Justice Nene Abayateye Ofoe Amegatcher, and Justice Jones Victor Mawulorm Dotse. President Akufo-Addo’s letter to the Speaker of Parliament outlines the intention to replace these vacancies and bolster the Supreme Court’s full membership.
The President’s letter, dated July 2023, highlights the advice received from the Judicial Council in accordance with Article 144(2) of the constitution. The nominations, along with the nominees’ curriculum vitae, are now subject to approval by Parliament.
It is worth noting that discussions around establishing an upper limit for the number of Supreme Court justices have emerged. In 2020, former Supreme Court judge nominee Clemence Honyenuga supported the idea, suggesting a cap of 17 justices. Honyenuga emphasized that such a limit should be sufficient to provide the Chief Justice with flexibility in empaneling justices, even if multiple judges recuse themselves from a case.
Source:Omanghana.com
