Former Chief Justice and member of the Council of State, Sophia Akufo has called on government to swiftly revise the processes involved in the appointment of Judges to the Supreme Court.
According to her, these appointments must be based on merit and not any other criteria.
Addressing the media, Sophia Akufo who has been a fervent advocate for the revision of the mode of appointments to the Supreme Court told the media, “The methodology for the appointments and the selection of judges to the superior court needs to change. I have spoken about it many times and I still stand by that. In the 21st century we need more transparent methods of selecting people to always ensure that it always by merit.”
In Ghana, the President, acting on the advice of the Judicial Council and in consultation with the Council of State, appoints Supreme Court Justices, with the approval of Parliament.
It has been rumored that these appointments based on political affiliations with the president appointing judges who are in bed with his government, overlooking those who are far more experienced and right for the job.
Article 144 talks about the appointment of Justices of Superior Courts and Chairmen and other Members of Regional Tribunals.
(1) The Chief Justice shall be appointed by the President acting in consultation with the Council of State and with the approval of Parliament.
(2) The other Supreme Court Justices shall be appointed by the President acting on the advice of the Judicial Council, in consultation with the Council of State and with the approval of Parliament.
(3) Justices of the Court of Appeal and of the High Court and Chairmen of Regional Tribunals shall be appointed by the President acting on the advice of the Judicial Council.
(4) Panel members of Regional Tribunals other than the Chairmen shall be appointed by the Chief Justice in consultation with the Regional Coordinating Council for the region and on the advice of the Judicial Council.
(5) Justices of the Superior Courts and Chairmen of Regional Tribunals shall be appointed by warrant under the hand of the President and sealed by the Presidential seal.
(6) Where the office of Chief Justice is vacant, or where the Chief Justice is for any reason unable to perform the functions of his office –
(a) until a person has been appointed to, and has assumed the functions of, that office; or
(b) until the person holding that office has resumed the functions of that office; as the case may be, those functions shall be performed by the most senior of the Justices of the Supreme Court.
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