The Nationwide Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of appointing New Patriotic Social gathering (NPP) loyalists as courtroom judges.
The occasion famous that this is able to allow the president and his appointees to evade accountability after they go away workplace.
Talking at a press convention on Thursday, the NDC’s Normal Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, expressed the occasion’s concern concerning the worrying development of the president appointing judges.
In accordance with him, deliberate politicisation of unbiased state establishments might negatively influence the nation’s peace.
His feedback come within the wake of proposals for brand spanking new Supreme Court docket judges.
“We’re involved a few worrying sample which irresistibly means that the President is appointing solely loyalists of his occasion to those courts to have management of the judiciary and escape post-regime accountability. It’s also very clear that the President is packing the courts forward of the approaching presidential and parliamentary elections with judges who’re sympathetic to his occasion.
“Such deliberate politicisation and bastardisation of unbiased establishments of state, together with the judiciary, can negatively influence the peace and stability of our democracy.
“It’s trite data that with no honest and neutral judiciary, democracy and constitutionalism undergo. That’s the reason this should be a difficulty of big nationwide concern because it provides to the numerous different points that already pose threats to the peace and stability of Ghana’s democracy,” he stated.
In the meantime, the Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, has defended her request for added judges to the Supreme Court docket, citing the massive variety of instances the apex courtroom handles.
This follows her formal request to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to appoint 5 judges to the Supreme Court docket of Ghana.
In accordance with the Chief Justice, this important transfer is to strengthen the judiciary with extremely certified and skilled authorized minds.
Delivering her closing remarks after the listening to of two lawsuits filed by researcher Dr Amanda Odoi and broadcast journalist Richard Dela Sky towards the transmission of the anti-gay invoice to the presidency by Parliament, the Chief Justice confused the necessity for extra judges.
“The ruling is adjourned to July 17, 2024. We should thank everybody for his or her persistence, however that is our lot. There are a number of instances pending, proper? That’s the reason we want extra Supreme Court docket judges,” she acknowledged.
The 5 judges nominated by the Chief Justice embody Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botchwey, who’s presently presiding over the controversial ambulance trial involving the Minority Chief in Parliament, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.
The opposite judges are Justice Cyra Pamela Koranteng, Justice Edward Amoako Asante, Justice Eric Kyei Baffuour and Justice Angelina Mensah Homiah.