Parliament’s Appointments Committee has recommended the approval of President John Dramani Mahama’s three nominees to the Supreme Court, paving the way for the proposed expansion of Ghana’s apex court from 18 to 21 justices.
The committee endorsed the nominations of Justice Sophia Rosetta Bernasko Essah, Justice Edward Amoako Asante and private legal practitioner Anthony Forson Jnr after a tense sitting on Thursday, August 27.
The recommendation followed a contentious vetting process during which the Minority Caucus walked out of the committee.
The committee, chaired by Bernard Ahiafor, proceeded with the exercise after rejecting an objection from Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who challenged the procedure and timetable for the nominations.
The committee maintained that it had the mandate to proceed with the vetting within the timeframe of Parliament’s emergency recall.
The three nominees were nominated by President Mahama in consultation with the Judicial Council, in accordance with the constitutional requirements for appointments to the Supreme Court.
The Council of State subsequently informed the President that it considered the nominees qualified and suitable for appointment.
Justice Sophia Rosetta Bernasko Essah is a Justice of the Court of Appeal with extensive judicial experience.
Justice Edward Amoako Asante, also a Court of Appeal Justice, previously served as President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice for three terms, totalling six years. His experience includes work in human rights and international law.
Anthony Forson Jnr, a private legal practitioner and former President of the Ghana Bar Association, brings extensive experience from the legal profession.
The committee’s recommendation now goes before the full House for consideration. If Parliament approves the nominations, the three will take the required oaths before assuming office on the Supreme Court.
The appointments form part of matters Parliament is considering during its emergency recall from August 24 to 28.
Speaker Alban Kingsford Bagbin said the recall was requested by President Mahama to deal with urgent government business, including the Supreme Court nominations, two ministerial nominations and the Banks and Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions (Amendment) Bill.
The proposed appointments would take the Supreme Court’s membership to 21 justices, marking an expansion of the country’s highest court.
