Parliament finally approves nomination of Chief Justice-designate by consensus

Parliament has finally approved by consensus the nomination of Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

This came after heated exchanges in the House on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, when the report of Parliament’s Appointment Committee was laid before the plenary for debate and consideration.

Topfm Parliamentary Correspondent Yesmeen Abubakar Tetteh reports, that the Minority in Parliament announced its intention to approve her nomination after initially suspending its consensus approval pending the full judgment of the Supreme Court on the dual citizenship case involving James Gyakye Quayson, the former Member of Parliament for Assin North.

With the full judgement of the apex court being made available to them, the NDC MPs even though disagreed with the ruling said they will not withhold their approval of the Chief Justice nominee.

Contributing to the motion, the Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, urged Justice Torkornoo to uphold utmost fairness in the discharge of her duties and the administration of justice. He also acknowledged Justice Torkornoo’s elevation to Chief Justice as a natural progression, considering her previous positions from the High Court to the Court of Appeal.

“It is only natural that if she is chosen and recognized by the President, she will have our support. Let us all support and wish her well.”

On his part, the Chairman of the Constitutional Legal & Parliamentary Affairs Committee, Kwame Anyimadu Antwi expressed optimism that the Chief Justice-nominee would adhere to the principles of her mandate.

Portions of the report as presented by the First Deputy Speaker who also doubles as Chairman of the Appointments Committee stated, “The nominee exhibited character, competence, and expertise in the field of law. If approved as Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana, she pledged to interpret the law without bias.”