Minority urges Supreme Court nominees to be guardians of fundamental laws, not instruments of executive convenience

The Minority Caucus has urged Justices nominated to the Supreme Court to be guardians of the fundamental law and not become instruments of Executive convenience.

Delivering an address before the vetting of Justice Senyo Dzamefe, a nominee to the Supreme Court by Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader, stated that the authority of the Supreme Court was derived from moral standing, and not political alignment.

Noting that true judicial independence required constitutional courage, deciding cases on law and precedent and not political preferences, he added.

Mr Afenyo-Markin, Ranking Member on the Appointments Committee, underscored the need for Supreme Court Judges to protect minority rights against majoritarian excesses.

Mr Afenyo-Markin, also the NPP legislator for Effutu constituency, criticised the ruling government for double standards by opposing the nomination of two Justices to the Supreme Court by the previous NPP government.

“This government’s double standards are staggering. The NDC vehemently opposed the nominations of Justice Sophia Banasco and Professor Richard Oppong’s nomination under President Akufo-Addo, crying that the court is over-bloated, now the President presents seven nominees simultaneously,” he said.

President John Mahama nominated seven justices who are currently serving on the Court of Appeals bench to the Supreme Court earlier this year.

The nominees are Justice Senyo Dzamefe, Justice Sir Dennis Dominic Adjei, Justice Gbiel Simon Suurbaareh, Justice Philip Bright Mensah, Justice Janapare Adzua Bartels-Kodwo, Justice Hafisata Amaleboba, and Justice Kweku Tawiah Ackaah-Boafo.

The President’s nomination is based on Article 144(2) of the 1992 Constitution, which requires the President to appoint Justices of the Supreme Court in consultation with the Council of State and with the approval of Parliament.

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