President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has nominated three Justices of the Court of Appeal for consideration as Justices of the Supreme Court.
They are Justices Henry Anthony Cofie, Yaw Asare Darko, and Richard Agyei Frimpong.
The nomination is in response to the retirement of three justices of the apex court.
The retirement of Justices Nene Abayeteye Ofoe Amegatcher, former Chief Justice, Kwasi Anin-Yeboah and Justice Jones Dotse created the void which needed to be filled for the efficient administration of justice.
In a letter to Parliament, President Akufo-Addo acknowledged the recent vacancies and emphasized the necessity of promptly filling them to ensure the effective functioning of the Court.
“Over the last few months, in February, May and June respectively, three vacancies have been created on the Supreme Court bench which now by convention having regard to its excessive jurisdiction comprises the Chief Justice and 15 other court justices.”
“These vacancies have occurred as a result of the mandatory retirement of Justice Nene Abayeteye Ofoe Amegatcher, on February 3, 2023, former Chief Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah on May 24, 2023, and Justice Jones Dotse on June 8, 2023.
“There are now 13 Justices of the Court including the Chief Justice,” the letter read at the plenary by the First Deputy Speaker, Joseph Osei Owusu, on Friday said.
According to the President, in July 2023, the Judicial Council advised in a letter under the hand of the Council Chairperson, Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, of the suitability of the nominations of three Court of Appeal Justices for appointment to the Supreme Court
“Upon receipt of the advice, and in accordance with my duty under Article 144(2) of the 1992 Constitution, I consulted with the Council of State by submitting the names and curricular vitae of the nominees for appointment to the Court.
“The Council of State by a letter dated August 11, 2023, notified me of the successful completion of the consultation process” and in accordance with article 144(2) of the constitutional, “I am seeking the approval of parliament for the appointment of the nominees as Justices of a Supreme Court”.
The President said he was fully satisfied that “each of these persons is duly qualified and eminently fit to discharge the functions of a justice of the Supreme Court”.
In line with parliamentary procedure, the Appointments Committee of the House would now set a date, vet the nominees and present a report to the House for approval or otherwise.
BY JULIUS YAO PETETSI
