The Appointments Committee has formally recommended the approval of three Supreme Court nominees – Justice Sophia Rosetta Essah, Justice Edward Asante, and private legal practitioner Anthony Forson Jnr – despite a significant walkout by the Minority Caucus, which challenged the procedure and timeframe for vetting.
The recommendation follows a heated five-day emergency recall by Parliament, triggered by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who stated that the process was being rushed, even though no vacant position on the Supreme Court requires immediate replacement.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin argued that the nominations were intended to expand the court’s membership, rather than address vacancies caused by retirement, death, or removal. He questioned the decision to expedite the vetting process during Parliament’s emergency sitting, asserting that the public had not been afforded the customary opportunity to submit memoranda on the nominees.
The Minority Caucus subsequently withdrew from the Committee, effectively halting the vetting process and directing the committee to proceed with consideration of the nominees.
Justice Sophia Rosetta Essah currently serves as the Court of Appeal’s Justice, possessing extensive experience within Ghana’s judicial system. Justice Edward Asante, also a Court of Appeal Justice, previously served as President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice for three terms, covering six years. His judicial career includes experience in human rights and international law.
Anthony Forson Jnr, a private legal practitioner and former President of the Ghana Bar Association, has also dedicated his career to the legal field, having spent several years as a lawyer.
The nominations were made in consultation with the Judicial Council, in accordance with the constitutional process for appointments to the Supreme Court, as stipulated by the Constitution.
President John Dramani Mahama nominated the three individuals, with the Council of State subsequently advising the President that the nominees were qualified and suitable for the positions. The disagreement over the nominations has added a significant political dimension to the constitutional process, with the Minority raising concerns about the speed of the exercise and the Committee maintaining that it’s acting within the mandate granted by the House during the emergency recall.
The three nominations are now expected to be submitted to the full House for consideration, with the Committee recommending their approval as a condition of a future House vote to officially join the Supreme Court bench.
Source: Adom Online
