Former President John Dramani Mahama has raised concerns over the unusual move by Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, who recommended justices for appointment to the Supreme Court to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Speaking in Accra on July 7, 2024, Mahama emphasized that the Constitution clearly states that the President, not the Chief Justice, has the mandate to nominate judges for appointment, with the advice of the Judicial Council.
Mahama expressed surprise at the Chief Justice’s actions, stating that the initiative for appointing judges must come from the President, not the Chief Justice.
He also noted that the Constitution Review Committee recommended capping the number of Supreme Court judges at 15, and that this issue should be decided by the Ghanaian people, not the Chief Justice.
Mahama’s comments come amid significant criticism of Chief Justice Torkornoo’s petition to the President to appoint five new judges to the Supreme Court, with legal experts arguing that her actions violate Article 114(2) of the 1992 Constitution.
The nominations have been endorsed by the Office of the Attorney General and the Ghana Bar Association, but Mahama believes that the process should be restarted when he becomes President, allowing the people to decide on the number of Supreme Court judges.
Mahama’s stance on this issue highlights the importance of upholding the Constitution and ensuring that the right procedures are followed in the appointment of judges to the highest court in the land.
His commitment to resurrecting the constitutional review process when he becomes President demonstrates his dedication to ensuring that the voices of the Ghanaian people are heard on this critical matter.
