President John Dramani Mahama has nominated two Court of Appeal judges and a former President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) for appointment to the Supreme Court, a move that will expand the country’s apex court from 18 to 21 justices if approved by Parliament.
The nominees are Justice Sophia Rosetta Bernasko Essah and Justice Edward Amoako Asante, both serving Justices of the Court of Appeal, as well as Tony Forson, a private legal practitioner and former President of the Ghana Bar Association.
The nominations were made in consultation with the Judicial Council, in accordance with the 1992 Constitution, which requires the President to consult the Council before appointing Justices of the Supreme Court, subject to parliamentary approval.
Justice Edward Amoako Asante brings extensive judicial experience to the nomination, having previously served as President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice before returning to Ghana’s Court of Appeal. Justice Sophia Rosetta Bernasko Essah has also built a distinguished career within the Judiciary, serving on the Court of Appeal and in other judicial capacities.
Mr Forson, the only nominee drawn from private legal practice, is a former President of the Ghana Bar Association and has been a prominent figure in Ghana’s legal profession for many years.
The three nominees are expected to appear before Parliament’s Appointments Committee for vetting. Following the hearings, the committee will submit its recommendations to the House for consideration and approval.
If Parliament endorses the nominations, the President will administer the oath of office, after which the nominees will formally assume their roles as Justices of the Supreme Court.
As Ghana’s highest court, the Supreme Court has final appellate jurisdiction in both civil and criminal matters. It also exercises exclusive original jurisdiction over constitutional interpretation and enforcement, and adjudicates disputes relating to presidential elections and other constitutional matters.
Approval of all three nominees would increase the number of serving Supreme Court justices from 18 to 21, strengthening the court’s capacity to hear constitutional, civil and criminal cases.
