Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has criticised the petition filed against Supreme Court nominee, Justice Kweku Tawiah Ackaah-Boafo, describing it as baseless and a threat to democratic stability.
The last-minute petition, submitted by a self-styled human rights activist, Anthony Kwabenya Rau, to Parliament’s Appointments Committee, resulted in the postponement of the nominee’s vetting on Thursday, June 19, 2025.
The petitioner alleged judicial bias and misconduct by Justice Ackaah-Boafo in a 2019 court case involving the DVLA. Rau claimed the judge “insulted and attacked” him, labelling him a “so‑called ‘Messiah’ international Human Rights Activist” and questioning his legal standing in Ghana.
However, the Appointments Committee dismissed the petition on Friday, June 20, declaring it “frivolous, vexatious, and a complete abuse of process.” Committee Chairman Bernard Ahiafor cited Article 127(3) of the 1992 Constitution, which bars legal action against judges for acts performed in their judicial capacity.
Afenyo-Markin commended the committee’s decision and warned that entertaining such petitions could undermine constitutional bodies and democratic integrity.
“I am in agreement with the views you’ve expressed for and on behalf of this committee. Indeed, as a country, we need to veer off from trivialities and situations where we subject people’s reputations to undue public ridicule,” he said.
“I am happy that this committee has boldly stood up for democracy and the rule of law in helping deal with matters as frivolous as what came before us.”
He also raised concerns about the precedent being set by legitimising weak and unsubstantiated petitions, citing the ongoing suspension of the Chief Justice as a cautionary example.
“If you look at the ongoing trial of the Chief Justice, we have one Daniel Ofori, who refers to a judgment which the CJ was involved in as a basis for attacking the woman and calling for her removal.
“If you also read Yakubu Akolgo Ayanga, similar frivolous allegations are made that the Chief Justice made certain pronouncements against him in open court. Unfortunately, these two scenarios have been deemed to constitute a prima facie case amounting to misconduct, justifying an enquiry into the conduct of a Chief Justice—and the Chief Justice is on suspension as a result,” he noted.
Responding to public backlash over the minority’s posture during the vetting, Afenyo-Markin appealed for broader public understanding of their constitutional responsibilities.
“My second comment has to do with feedback from certain quarters regarding the minority’s stance on some of the issues that have come up as part of this vetting. I would want to pray that the public appreciates where we are coming from.
“We are not here to get personal; we are here to deal with the law and issues of public policy and good governance,” he added.
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