National Democratic Congress (NDC) has revealed information about Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo’s recommendation for appointing five judges to the Supreme Court.
During a press briefing on Thursday, July 4, 2024, NDC General Secretary Fifi Kwetey disclosed that they possess a letter from the President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), Yaw Acheampong Boafo, opposing President Akufo-Addo’s attempt to unconstitutionally appoint five additional judges to the Supreme Court.
According to the NDC, the letter indicates that the GBA believes the president and Chief Justice’s proposal to increase the number of Supreme Court Justices to 20 would bypass necessary constitutional amendments.
“The GBA argues forcefully that the request by President Akufo-Addo and Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo to increase the minimum number of justices at the Supreme Court to 20 will lead to circumvention of the required constitutional amendment, hence their rejection of same.
“The GBA proposed a review of the conventional number of justices of the Supreme Court every ten years, calling for broader consultation with other key stakeholders such as the Council of State and Parliament”.
Fifi Kwetey called on President Akufo Addo to halt any plans to make further appointments when there are a few months to the general elections.
“With general elections set to take place in a few months, we are of the view that President Akufo-Addo must immediately halt his plans to make any further appointments to the superior courts.
This is in view of the fact that he has already packed the courts with too many of his loyalists to the disbelief of many right-thinking Ghanaians and consummate democrats,” he said.