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Parliament approves nomination of Supreme Court Justices

By Christopher Arko, GNA 

Accra, Dec. 14, GNA – Parliament has
unanimously approved the nomination of three Justices appointed by President
Nana Akufo-Addo to the Supreme Court.

The approval follows a recommendation by the
Appointment Committee of Parliament that the nominees have exhibited character,
competence, independent thinking and depth understanding of the law and
suitable for the Supreme Court.

The three justices are Justice Mariama
Owusu, Justice Avril Lovelace Johnson and Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba
Tokornoo all judges of the Court of Appeal.

Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu, Chairman of the
Appointment Committee, presenting the Committee’s report before Parliament,
said the Committee considered the appointments in the light of the provisions
of the 1992 Constitution and Order 74 of the Standing Orders of the House.

The Appointment Committee earlier in the
week had scrutinized the three nominees and later submitted their report to the
House with a recommendation to proceed with their endorsement.

 “After a careful examination of their record
at the various courts, the Committee was satisfied the three persons were
indeed competent and sufficiently trained and knowledgeable in the law to be
elevated to the high office of Supreme Court” Mr Osei-Owusu added.

Mr Joseph Yieleh Chireh, Member of
Parliament (MP) for Wa West, who seconded the motion, said the nominees were
appointed to replace three justices who are on retirement or are due for
retirement by the end of the year.

He said three ladies who were very qualified
demonstrated their understanding of the law and were also forthright with some
of the issues they raised with them.

He said the answers by nominees concerning
the death penalty were very clear and almost synonymous that death penalty
should not continue to be on the country’s statute books.

Mr Samuel Atta Akyea, Minister of Works and
Housing, said the appointment of Justices to the Supreme Court should come with
merit and expressed joy to see the three women demonstrate merit and competence
during the vetting.

“One thing we should never do is give what
matters to individuals who are not competent…therefore, as important as justice
delivery is, if you do not have men and women of substance and competence to
handle that special area our governance system there would be in chaos”.

Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ranking Member
on Foreign Affairs, said the nomination of three female Justices to Supreme
Court was a good thing to the gender movement and also their selection would
serve as role model to young ladies.

He said the nominees distinguished
themselves during the vetting and also showed how progressive they are with
some controversial issues like the death penalty and also on the apparels that
judges wear.

GNA

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