Akufo-Addo packing courts with NPP loyalists to avoid accountability – NDC
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of appointing New Patriotic Party (NPP) loyalists as court judges.
The party noted that this would enable the president and his appointees to evade accountability after they leave office.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, the NDC’s General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, expressed the party’s concern about the worrying trend of the president appointing judges.
According to him, deliberate politicisation of independent state institutions could negatively impact the country’s peace.
His comments come in the wake of proposals for new Supreme Court judges.
“We are concerned about a worrying pattern which irresistibly suggests that the President is appointing only loyalists of his party to these courts to have control of the judiciary and escape post-regime accountability. It is also very clear that the President is packing the courts ahead of the impending presidential and parliamentary elections with judges who are sympathetic to his party.
“Such deliberate politicisation and bastardisation of independent institutions of state, including the judiciary, can negatively impact the peace and stability of our democracy.
“It is trite knowledge that without a fair and impartial judiciary, democracy and constitutionalism suffer. That is why this must be an issue of huge national concern as it adds to the many other issues that already pose threats to the peace and stability of Ghana’s democracy,” he said.
This follows her formal request to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to nominate five judges to the Supreme Court of Ghana.
According to the Chief Justice, this significant move is to strengthen the judiciary with highly qualified and experienced legal minds.
Delivering her closing remarks after the hearing of two lawsuits filed by researcher Dr Amanda Odoi and broadcast journalist Richard Dela Sky against the transmission of the anti-gay bill to the presidency by Parliament, the Chief Justice stressed the need for more judges.
“The ruling is adjourned to July 17, 2024. We must thank everyone for their patience, but this is our lot. There are several cases pending, right? That is why we need more Supreme Court judges,” she stated.
The five judges nominated by the Chief Justice include Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botchwey, who is currently presiding over the controversial ambulance trial involving the Minority Leader in Parliament, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.
The other judges are Justice Cyra Pamela Koranteng, Justice Edward Amoako Asante, Justice Eric Kyei Baffuour and Justice Angelina Mensah Homiah.