Parliament approves Mahama’s 7 Supreme Court nominees

Parliament has, by a majority decision, approved the nomination of seven Court of Appeal judges by President John Mahama to the Supreme Court.

The approved justices are:

• Justice Senyo Dzamefe

• Justice Sir Dennis Dominic Adjei

• Justice Gbeil Simon Suurbaareh

• Justice Philip Bright Mensah

• Justice Janapare Adzua Bartels-Kodwo

• Justice Hafisata Amaleboba

• Justice Kweku Tawiah Ackaah-Boafo

Following a rigorous vetting process last week, the Appointments Committee, chaired by Bernard Ahiafor, submitted its report for consideration and approval by the House.

However, the Minority rejected the nominations both at the Committee level and during the plenary vote, citing various concerns.

Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, questioned what he described as the “wrongful” suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo and criticised the rejection of two previous nominees under the prior administration — Professor Richard Frimpong Oppong, a legal academic and fellow of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, and Justice Sophia Rosetta Bernasko Essah of the Court of Appeal.

The Effutu MP further accused the current government of attempting to “pack” the Supreme Court, a concern he noted the NDC once shared while in opposition.

In response, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga defended the nominations, stressing the importance of upholding judicial integrity. He maintained that President Mahama’s appointments are consistent with constitutional provisions.