The Minority in Parliament has called for the deferment of the vetting of three Supreme Court nominees, arguing that there is no urgent vacancy requiring Parliament to rush the process.
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin said the Supreme Court is currently operating with its full complement of justices and continues to hear cases and deliver judgments.
He questioned why the nominees should be vetted and approved before Parliament’s emergency recall ends on Friday, August 28, 2026, particularly since they are being proposed as additional justices rather than to fill existing vacancies.
“If there is no vacancy to fill, there is certainly no emergency compelling anyone to fill it inside three days. There is no fire here.”
The three nominees are:
- Justice Sophia Bernasko-Essah – Court of Appeal Justice
- Justice Edward Amoako Asante – Court of Appeal Justice and former President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice
- Anthony Forson Jr. – private legal practitioner and former President of the Ghana Bar Association
Afenyo-Markin said the Majority’s plan to have all five presidential nominees—including the three Supreme Court nominees and two ministerial nominees—vetted, reported on and approved before the recall ends is unacceptable to the Minority.
He argued that the Supreme Court nominees could instead be vetted in September, with the Appointments Committee presenting its report when Parliament resumes in October.
The Minority Leader also rejected the argument that the judicial vacation creates an emergency, noting that the Supreme Court continues to sit and determine urgent cases.
However, the Minority has indicated its support for the prompt vetting of the two ministerial nominees—Bawku Central MP Mahama Ayariga and Korle Klottey MP Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings.
The disagreement sets the stage for a potentially contentious sitting of Parliament’s Appointments Committee as lawmakers consider the nominations.
