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From L-R: Ms Justice Agnes M. A. Dordzie, Nene A. O. Amegatcher, Mr Justice Samuel K. Marful-Sau and Prof. Nii Ashie Kotey.
From L-R: Ms Justice Agnes M. A. Dordzie, Nene A. O. Amegatcher, Mr Justice Samuel K. Marful-Sau and Prof. Nii Ashie Kotey.

Parliament approves four justices for Supreme Court

Parliament has approved the nomination of four justices to the Supreme Court. Members of Parliament (MPs) from both sides of the House described the justices as knowledgeable and experienced individuals who would advance the administration of justice and the protection of civil liberties in the country.

The four justices are Mr Justice Samuel K. Marful-Sau, Justice of Appeal; Ms Justice Agnes M. A. Dordzie, Justice of Appeal; Prof. Nii Ashie Kotey, former Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Ghana, and Nene A. O. Amegatcher, a private legal practitioner and former President of the Ghana Bar Association.

Nominations

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo nominated the four justices, in accordance with Article 144 (2) of the Constitution, and after communicating same to Parliament, the Appointments Committee of Parliament (ACP) vetted them.

Their approval by Parliament yesterday followed the presentation of the report of the ACP, which indicated that it was satisfied that the four justices exhibited character and possessed the requisite knowledge and experience in law to serve on the Supreme Court.

Reading the report, the Chairman of the ACP, Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu, said the four justices exhibited independent-mindedness and assured the committee of the will to interpret the law as it was, without favour or let.

"They demonstrated a resolve to be above partisanship in the discharge of their duties. The committee, accordingly, found them suitable to be appointed as justices of the Supreme Court of Ghana," he said.

Contributions

The Majority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, said the four justices had the competence and ability to serve on the Supreme Court.

Besides, he said, they had the qualification and met the eligibility criteria to occupy such high office.

The Minority Leader and Ranking Member on the ACP, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, said the nominees assured the committee of their commitment to adhere to the Constitution and the rule of law and uphold the principles of social justice.

Mr Iddrisu proposed that Parliament should consider passing legislation to limit the number of Supreme Court judges to 13 to curtail bloated appointments to the Supreme Court.

Fearless justice

The MP for Tamale Central and Ranking Member on the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Alhaji Inusah Abdulai Fuseini, expressed confidence that the four justices would fearlessly do justice to all manner of persons, irrespective of their political colouration.

"They will help consolidate the democratic foundation and civil liberties and restore confidence in the Judiciary," he said.

The MP for Ofoase/Ayirebi and Minister of Information designate, Mr Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, said the four Justices would bring the same level of diligence which they had exhibited over the years to bear on their work at the Supreme Court.

Other contributors, including the MP for Nandom and Minister of the Interior, Mr Ambrose Dery; the MP for Tempane and Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr Joseph Dindiok Kpemka; the MP for Wa West, Mr Joseph Yieleh Chireh, and the MP for South Dayi, Mr Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, were unanimous that the nominees had distinguished themselves in their various fields as teachers, judges and private legal practitioners and that they deserved to serve as justices of the Supreme Court.

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