The Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, has defended her request for additional judges to the Supreme Court, citing the large number of cases the apex court handles.
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.
In a letter dated May 30, the Chief Justice told the President that, “Justice Asante’s term of office at the ECOWAS court ended on July 31, 2022”, and was “requested to remain at post on account of the withdrawal of Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso from the community.”
She added, “His current tenure is expected to end in 2026 or earlier when he is expected to return to Ghana’s Judiciary.”
