The National Democratic Congress has made some revelations about Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo’s recommendation for the appointment of five judges to the Supreme Court.

At a press briefing on Thursday, July 4, 2024, the General Secretary of the NDC, Fifi Kwetey, disclosed that a letter in their possession details how the President of the Ghana Bar Association, Yaw Acheampong Boafo, objected to the unconstitutional approach by President Akufo-Addo to appoint 5 additional judges to the apex court.

According to the NDC, details of the letter show that GBA was of the view that the president and CJ’s request to increase the minimum number of Justices of the Supreme Court to 20 would lead to the circumvention of the required constitutional amendments.

"The GBA argues forcefully that the request by President Akufo-Addo and Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo to increase the minimum number of justices at the Supreme Court to 20 will lead to circumvention of the required constitutional amendment, hence their rejection of same.

"The GBA proposed a review of the conventional number of justices of the Supreme Court every ten years, calling for broader consultation with other key stakeholders such as the Council of State and Parliament".

Fifi Kwetey called on President Akufo Addo to halt any plans to make further appointments when there are a few months to the general elections.

“With general elections set to take place in a few months, we are of the view that President Akufo-Addo must immediately halt his plans to make any further appointments to the superior courts. This is in view of the fact that he has already packed the courts with too many of his loyalists to the disbelief of many right-thinking Ghanaians and consummate democrats,” he said.

MAG/ADG