Anthony Forson Jr., a prominent nominee for the Supreme Court bench, has voiced a vehement opposition to proposals to restrict the number of Justices on the court’s apex. He argues that such a cap would be inherently impractical, rendering the Court’s ability to effectively adjudicate complex legal issues severely compromised.
Mr. Forson Jr. stated unequivocally that capping the number of Justices is untenable, asserting that the Supreme Court’s constitutional jurisdiction necessitates a substantial and unrestricted capacity to handle workload. ‘Unless, as a country, we decide to reduce the jurisdictions which have been allocated to the Supreme Court, for now, there should be no cap,’ he declared in response to a question from a committee member, Laadi Ayii Ayamba, regarding the proposed measure. He further explained that the justification for expanding the Supreme Court’s scope stemmed from the Court’s previous composition being unable to cope with its current caseload.
Prior to his comments, Mr. Forson Jr. underscored his previous tenure as President of the Ghana Bar Association, emphasizing his commitment to upholding professional conduct. He acknowledged the potential for subconscious influence, describing it as part of human nature, but stressed the importance of professional responsibility. He specifically addressed concerns regarding client relationships, colleagues, and institutions, emphasizing the need to avoid any bias.
Furthermore, he explained his commitment to recusing himself from cases where his firm had involvement in a portion of the matter, ensuring a clear conflict of interest. He then advocated for the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as a crucial strategy to address the backlog of cases, suggesting digitalising operations and accelerating case disposal. He also proposed afternoon court sittings as a supplementary measure, highlighting the importance of innovation in addressing the backlog.
The Appointments Committee, under the leadership of Bernard Ahiafor, commended Mr. Forson Jr. for his consistent professionalism and conduct throughout his legal career. ‘Your qualification under the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana as a Supreme Court judge is not in doubt and your professionalism and conduct as a lawyer is also not in doubt,’ Ahiafor stated. ‘I know you are capable of working as a Supreme Court judge and you deserve to be nominated.’
This statement underscores the importance of a qualified and experienced legal mind for the Supreme Court, solidifying Mr. Forson Jr.’s position as a potential contender for the bench.
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Source: Graphic Online
