Legal practitioner Kwaku Asare has criticized Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Torkornoo‘s request for a minimum of 20 Supreme Court justices to handle around 600 cases annually, calling it unreasonable.
He pointed out that many Supreme Courts worldwide manage double or triple that caseload with about seven justices.
Chief Justice Torkornoo has proposed expanding the bench to 20 justices due to the high volume of cases.
She recently nominated five judges to the Supreme Court, citing the urgent need for more judges to meet the nation’s justice needs.
“Two days are used for panel sitting, and one day for the sitting of a single judge. The SCOG therefore sits 12 times a month. On any given day of sitting, the court deals with a minimum of 15 cases and so works on not fewer than 45 matters in a week or approximately 180 matters in a month,” she clarified.
In response, Asare argued on Facebook that requiring 20 justices compromises the principle of a balanced panel.
He expressed concern that the Chief Justice’s push to promote specific judges has undermined the court’s integrity.
“It is unreasonable to require a minimum of 20 Supreme Court Justices to handle approximately 600 cases annually. In comparison, many Supreme Courts around the world manage double or triple that number of cases with about seven Justices.
“To uphold the principle of ‘a panel of equals,’ it is essential that no Supreme Court Justice feels indebted to the Chief Justice for their appointment. The Chief Justice’s request to promote certain judges has irreparably compromised the integrity of the bench.”
Meanwhile, Attorney-General Godfred Dame defended the Chief Justice’s request, noting that Ghana’s Supreme Court operates uniquely and rejecting accusations of court-packing by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
“What I am aware of is the request from Chief Justice, I believe that the Judiciary is no doubt better placed to provide ample justification for the need for an enhanced Supreme Court, but again it is worthy to note that the Supreme Court of Ghana is quite unique and different from other Supreme Courts around the world,” he said in an interview on the sidelines of the United States Independence Day Event at the Embassy Garden in Accra.”