Debate Over Judicial Appointments Sparks Calls for Constitutional Reform in Ghana

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in a speech delivered at the opening of this year’s conference of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) in Cape Coast has debunked these allegations from former president, John Mahama. 

Ex-President Mahama accused President Nana Addo Dankwa  Akufo-Addo of appointing judges who are solely affiliated with the New Patriotic Party to the Bench and entreated his party folks to also strive to take up careers on the Bench to balance out the Judiciary. He added this is a deliberate strategy by the government to avoid accountability when they leave office.

President Akuffo Addo in response debunked these allegations adding that such statements are baseless and dangerous to the independence of the judiciary. He explained that appointments to the Bench are prescribed by the Constitution and based on professional merit, suitability and advice from the Judicial Council and Council of State with the approval of Parliament.

The issues have ignited debate among Ghanaians especially on social media with arguments split in different directions. 

Monitoring the views of Ghanaians on social media, a user identified as Prudential Livingstone on TV3’s Newday show underscored the need for an independent body to be responsible for making such appointments rather than leaving it to Politically Elected Governments. He explained;

“Mr. Roland, it’s a pity the kind of democracy we practice in Ghana. As long as we practice a system in which an elected president is by constitution empowered to appoint anything appointable, this sensitive issue of biases in our institutions e.g. judiciary appointments etc won’t be free from cronyism, partisanship etc. if we don’t stripe those powers from an elected president, we will continue to lament. the legislature must rise to their duties for the interest.  For a sitting president to do what he did in the judicial gathering taken a swipe on the opinions of the opposition is unpresidential and very infantile. Mr. Bona of CPP, thank you so much for that great analysis which the NDC guy is afraid to emphasize.” he said

Another user on the same platform with the username Kweku Kuma stressed the need for a constitutional review as the President should not be the person responsible for making such judicial appointments. 

He said “How can the judiciary be independent when its heads are appointed by the head of the executive which is a political arm of government? The constitution review report put together by the late John Mills made all such recommendations to strengthen our democracy but hasn't been implemented up till now. the question is why?” 

According to Teacher Constitution from Wiamoase who commented on the Citi Breakfast Show;

“Since yesterday I have been clapping for Nana Addo for telling the truth to Ghanaians. If we don't take care, JDM and his NDC will always cause confusion in Ghana concerning our judicial system. Greetings to Dr. Bawumia, Dr. Serwaa Donkor and Hon Mavis Nkansah Boadu,” he said.