President Akufo-Addo is facing renewed accusations from some members of the public, who allege that he is trying to stack the courts of Ghana with members of his party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
These accusations stem from his reported nomination of justices for the Court of Appeal.
According to dailyguidenetwork.com, a list of 20 individuals, including 12 High Court judges and 8 prominent legal practitioners, has been shortlisted for appointment as justices of the Court of Appeal of Ghana.
Similar criticism was directed at the president, especially from members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), including former President John Dramani Mahama, during his previous judicial appointments.
It is important to note that appointments to the Court of Appeal are made by the president in consultation with the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board (JAAB), headed by the Chief Justice of Ghana.
According to Section 3 of Article 136 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, a person must have high moral character, proven integrity, and not less than twelve years’ standing as a lawyer to be qualified for appointment as a Justice of the Court of Appeal.
The following is a brief profile of the lawyers reportedly nominated for appointment as justices of the Court of Appeal.
Mariam Agyeman Gyasi Jawhary
Lawyer Mariam Agyeman Gyasi Jawhary is the Managing Partner of the Totoe Legal Service and has been a lawyer in good standing for over 30 years.
Gyasi Jawhary’s profile on the website of her firm indicates that her areas of expertise include conveyancing, land litigation, family law, corporate and commercial, as well as labour law.
She is said to have previously worked as a part-time lecturer at the Ghana School of Law, teaching Law of Evidence, Labour Law and Conveyancing and Drafting. She also worked as an Administrator /Mediator for the Kumasi Legal Aid Centre for FIDA-GHANA on a volunteer basis for 6 years, between 1997 and 2003, while still engaged in active legal practice.
She has also held several positions at the Ghana Bar Association, including National Assistant Secretary of the association for 6 years (2012 to 2018), member of the National Bar Council, member of the Executive Committee of the Ashanti Branch of the association, and the representative association on the Ashanti Regional Lands Commission for 8 years (2009 to 2018).
Yaa Onyameye Gyakobo
Yaa Onyameye Gyakobo was admitted to the Ghana Bar Association in 1994, marking nearly 30 years of legal practice.
She currently serves as a Senior Associate at Ansah-Obiri Legal Consult. Her previous roles include Legal Officer at the Divestiture Implementation Committee, Associate at Wuowoti Chambers, Vidal Buckle & Co, and Associate at Ayawaso Chambers, Amarteifio & Co.
In addition to her legal practice, Onyameye Gyakobo is actively involved in the Ghana Bar Association, where she currently holds the position of Assistant Secretary. Over the years, she has served in various capacities within the association, including as National Assistant Public Relations Officer, Financial and Social Security Head of the Greater Accra Regional Bar, and member of the GBA Electoral Committee.
Charles William Zwennes
Charles William Zwennes serves as the Head of Chambers at Gaisie Zwennes Hughes & Co, a position he has held since 1996, according to his LinkedIn profile.
He is a Barrister-at-Law of England & Wales and a Barrister & Solicitor of the Superior Courts of Ghana. Zwennes is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitration in London.
His academic qualifications include a professional certificate in Petroleum and Energy Law from the University of Dundee, an LL.M in Company Law and International Finance Law from UCL, and an LL.B in law from the University of Kent.
Yaw Oppong
Yaw Oppong serves as the Director of Legal Education at the Ghana School of Law (GSL) and is a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Ghana. Additionally, he is the Managing Partner of Ampofo, Oppong and Associates.
He has extensive experience in legal education and has lectured at various universities in Ghana, including Central University. Currently, he holds the position of senior lecturer at the Ghana School of Law.
Yaw Oppong earned his first degree in law from the University of Ghana and qualified as a Barrister-at-Law from the Ghana School of Law, Makola – Accra, Ghana. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Oil and Gas Law (LLM) from the Faculty of Law, University of Ghana, Legon. Moreover, he is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, London.
Nathan Parker Yarney
Nathan Parker Yarney was admitted to the Ghana Bar Association in October 1999, marking over 25 years of legal practice.
He currently practices law and mediation at Kobaka Chambers, a firm he established in October 2006. Prior to founding his practice, Nathan worked at Paintsil, Paintsil & Co, and Ama Harding Chambers.
His educational background includes a Postgraduate Diploma in Banking Law from Queen Mary and Westfield College (now Queen Mary University of London), an LL.M (ADR) from the University of Ghana, and an LLB (Hons) degree from the Ghana School of Law, Accra.
David Acheampong Boafo
David Boafo is a Senior Partner at S.K. Boafo and Company, where he has been since 1995. He was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 1994 and enrolled on the Roll of Lawyers in 1995, amassing 25 years of legal experience.
His areas of specialization include commercial practice, civil litigation, land matters, and administration of estates.
David Boafo currently serves as the National Secretary of the Ghana Bar Association and previously held the position of President of the Ashanti Region Branch of the association.
From 2013 to 2016, he was a member of the General Legal Counsel, representing the Ghana Bar Association. Additionally, he served as the Head of the Legal Department of Asante Kotoko Sporting Club.
Francis Koffie
Francis Koffie is a Managing Partner at Koffie & Partners (Law Conclave) Lawyers and a lecturer at the Ghana School of Law. He is also the President of the Ashanti Regional branch of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA).
Having earned his law degree from the Ghana School of Law, Francis Koffie has been actively involved in legal practice and education. He also served on the five-member committee established by the government to investigate the fire that engulfed the Kejetia Market in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, in March 2023.
Dr. Poku Adusei is the Head of Legal at the National Communications Authority. With over 21 years of legal experience, he was called to the Ghana Bar Association in 2003.
Previously, Dr. Adusei served as the Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Standards Authority from September 2017 to March 2019. He has also been a lecturer at the University of Ghana School of Law, teaching subjects such as Intellectual Property Law, Private International Law, Company Law, and Land Law.
Dr. Adusei holds a Ph.D. in Law from McGill University in Canada. He also possesses a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) Degree and a Qualified Certificate in Law.
Hmmmmmmm, all served in Ashanti Region. Hardly any on from other Regions as though there are no lawyers there. Ghana justice under NPP for you!