Parliament by a majority vote approved the nomination of Judge George Kingsley Koomson and Judge Ernest Yao Gaewu, to be appointed Supreme Court Judges.
President Akufo-Addo, in a letter dated July 26, 2022 and addressed to the Speaker of Parliament, in accordance with Article 144(2) of the constitution, announced the nomination of Justices Barbara Frances Ackah-Yensu, George Kingsley Koomson, Samuel Kwame Adibu Asiedu and Ernest Yao Gaewu for high office Justice of the Supreme Court.
The President in a letter, also sought legislative approval for the nominees to the Apex Court of the land. In the letter, the President explained that the appointment became necessary due to pending and projected vacancies on the Supreme Court bench before the end of 2022.
Inauguration Committee
The appointment committee (AC) of Parliament, in its 27th report on presidential candidates for appointment as Supreme Court judges, recommended by consensus the nomination of Justice Barbara Frances Ackah-Yensu and Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu Asiedu.
The recommendation was then adopted by the plenary after the appointment committee report was made. Judge George Kingsley Koomson and Judge Ernest Yao Gaewu, on the other hand, have been nominated by a majority decision of the appointment committee, making the final approval subject to either consensus or by secret ballot by the whole House.
Voting results
After more than two hours of voting, when the results were counted, Judge George Kingsley Koomson, had 139 MPs vote “Yes” to approve the nomination while 133 voted “No”. Judge Ernest Yao Gaewu on the other hand got 138 “Yes” votes and 134 “No” votes.
Vacancy
President Akufo-Addo while swearing in Justice Barbara Frances Ackah-Yensu and Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu Asiedu on Wednesday December 28, 2022, noted that new judges have been appointed to fill the vacancy in the court created by the death of Justice Samuel Marfo-Sau on August 10, 2021 and the retirement of Justice Yaw Appaw on August 2, 2021.
“I await the approval of the Parliament of the two remaining nominees – Justice George Kingsley Koomson and Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu – to fill the vacancies created as a result of the retirement of Justice Clemence Honyenuga, who takes effect on September 4, 2022, and Justice Agnes Dodzie, who retires on October 2, 2022,” said President Akufo-Addo when he swore in two Judges whose nominations were approved by consensus.
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the administration of justice in Ghana. The Court is presided over by the Chief Justice; in his absence, the most senior judge of the Supreme Court presides.
The members of the judiciary who sit in the Supreme Court are referred to as Supreme Court judges. The Supreme Court consists of a Chief Justice and not less than nine judges.
It has exclusive original jurisdiction in all matters relating to the enforcement or interpretation of the 1992 constitution. It also has supervisory jurisdiction over all courts in Ghana. It is located only at the headquarters of the Judicial Service in Accra.
Judge of the Apex Court
There are 14 Supreme Court judges, according to the latest list on the Ghana Judicial Service website (www.judicial.gov.gh). With the approval of Judge George Kingsley Koomson and Judge Ernest Yao Gaewu, the number will be 16.
Supreme Court judges include Chief Justice Anin Yeboah (Chief Justice), Justice Jones Dotse, Justice Paul Baffoe Bonnie, Justice Gabriel Pwamang, Justice Nene Abayaateye Ofoe Amegatcher, Professor Nii. Ashie Kotey, and Her Ladyship Justice Mariama Owusu
Other judges are, Her Ladyship Justice Avril Lovelace Johnson, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, His Lordship Justice Issifu Omoro Tanko Amadu, Her Ladyship Justice Professor Henrietta Joy Abena Nyarko Mensa-Bonsu, His Lordship Justice Emmanuel Yonny Kulendi, Her Ladyship Justice Barbara Frances Ackah – Yensu and His Lordship Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu Asiedu.
Source: Asaseradio
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