(VIDEO) Minority Challenges Vetting of Three Supreme Court Nominees
Afenyo-Markin says short notice breaches constitutional requirements
- Minority objects to nominees’ vetting.
- Afenyo-Markin cites constitutional breach.
- Caucus demands due process.
The Minority Caucus in Parliament has objected to the vetting of three Supreme Court nominees nominated by President John Dramani Mahama, arguing that the process does not meet constitutional requirements.
The objection follows Parliament’s recall by Speaker Alban Kingsford Bagbin for an emergency sitting to consider government business, including the vetting of ministerial nominees and the three nominees to the Supreme Court.
Addressing the media, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin said the short notice for the judicial nominees’ vetting violates constitutional provisions requiring adequate public notice.
According to him, the Constitution provides for nominees to be publicly advertised for a specified period, allowing members of the public sufficient opportunity to scrutinise their backgrounds and submit relevant information before the vetting takes place.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin also referred to the position taken by the current Majority when it was in opposition in 2024.
He recalled that the then Minority, led by Cassiel Ato Forson and Kwame Agbodza, opposed the vetting of judicial nominees under the previous Akufo-Addo administration, citing similar procedural concerns.
He questioned why the current Majority had now departed from a position it previously defended while in opposition.
“We are not against the President’s nominations, but we cannot allow the process to stand when due process is not being followed,” he said.
The Minority Leader stressed that their objection was not directed at President Mahama’s constitutional authority to nominate judges, but at the procedure being followed in processing the nominations.
He maintained that Parliament has a responsibility to uphold the Constitution and ensure that all established procedures are followed before nominees are subjected to vetting.
The Minority Caucus has therefore indicated that it will oppose any attempt to proceed with the vetting of the three Supreme Court nominees until the required constitutional procedures have been complied with.
From Martin Kwabena Ahwireng Quaye
