Minority Leader Accuses NDC of Double Standards on Supreme Court Nominations

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government of hypocrisy and double standards concerning recent Supreme Court nominations. Afenyo-Markin argued that the NDC's current stance contradicts its previous opposition to the appointment of additional judges to the apex court.

Speaking on Joy FM, Afenyo-Markin questioned the NDC's principles, recalling their criticism of the Akufo-Addo administration for allegedly "packing the court." He specifically referenced the vetting of previous nominees, where the NDC opposed the final approval process, leading to a violent incident on the parliamentary floor involving the Ashaiman MP.

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The President has the mandate to do that, but there's a political question. The political question is: Is the NDC a principled political party? I submit that they are not a principled political party because, in opposition, they criticised the Akufo-Addo administration for packing the court.

"Time has exposed them. They are double standard, their hypocrisy, and their unprincipled posture. Is it now okay to nominate more judges to the Supreme Court?" Afenyo-Markin stated, highlighting the perceived inconsistency. The nominations, which include private legal practitioner Tony Forson and Court of Appeal Justices Sophia Rosetta Bernasko Essah and Edward Amoako Asante, are subject to parliamentary approval. President John Dramani Mahama made these nominations in consultation with the Judicial Council, as per the constitution, to increase the Supreme Court's membership. Justice Asante brings experience from the ECOWAS Court of Justice, while Justice Essah has a significant judicial background. Mr. Forson is notable as a former President of the Ghana Bar Association.

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You recall that the last set of nominees, two of them, after vetting, the NDC opposed the final process of their approval, and they even became very violent on the House floor. The Ashaiman MP, you may recall that when the First Deputy Speaker was presiding, attacked the First Deputy Speaker. He was actually injured, Joe Wise. He bled close to his eye. Unfortunately, as fate would want it, time has exposed them. They are double standard, their hypocrisy, and their unprincipled posture. Is it now okay to nominate more judges to the Supreme Court?