Ransford Edward Van Gyampo, a Professor of Political Science at the University of Ghana, has expressed the needlessness to be arguing over packing the Supreme Court of Ghana with more judges when the prices of food have tripled on the market.
According to the Professor, the argument to pack the apex court with more judges is “bogus”, when the government has failed to deploy measures to address the living conditions in the country.
He says the Consumer Price Analysis of the country, per a programme he observed on 3News indicate that the value of GHC1,000 in 2021 is equivalent to GHC440 in 2024.
Expressing the enormity of the situation from his personal experience, the Professor noted that items he used to purchase on the market for GHC60 are now being sold for GHC220, something he says the leadership of the country should worry about instead of thinking of packing the courts with more judges.
“Two paint buckets of tomatoes is GHC440 on the market and you are here talking about packing courts with judges. I used to buy them GHC120. Then I said I will buy plantain, the rotten one, the fingers were like four or six, they said if you don’t have GHC180.00 I’ll not give it to you. Then ‘olonka
“Yesterday I listened to 3News’ Consumer Price Analysis and they argued that in 2021, if you were paid GHC1,000, in 2024 it’s GHC440 and what are we talking about? We are majoring on minor issues. Please the argument to want to pack the courts is bogus. We are interested in what the people of Ghana are saying and not the whimsical and capricious desires of people who are suddenly behaving out of character because of the morbid fear of the persona of Ghana’s political king kong Nana Akufo-Addo,” he added.
Prof. Gyampo’s concerns stem from a request from the Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo to President Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to nominate five judges to the Supreme Court of Ghana. This move, she noted, aims to bolster the judiciary with highly qualified and experienced legal minds.
The nominees include Justice Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe, who is currently presiding over the controversial ambulance trial involving the Minority Leader in Parliament, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.
The others are Justice Cyra Pamela Koranteng, Justice Eric Kyei Baffour, Justice Edward Amoako Asante and Justice Angelina Mensah Homiah.
In a letter dated May 30, 2024, Chief Justice Torkornoo outlined the qualifications and current roles of the nominees to President Akufo-Addo.
She highlighted the remarkable tenure of Justice Edward Amoako Asante at the ECOWAS Court of Justice. Justice Asante’s term at the ECOWAS court officially concluded on July 31, 2022. However, due to the geopolitical developments in the region, notably the withdrawal of Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso from the community, he was requested to remain in his post to ensure continuity and stability.
Chief Justice Torkornoo noted that Justice Asante’s extended tenure is set to conclude in 2026, or potentially earlier, at which point he is expected to return to serve within Ghana’s judiciary system.
His anticipated return and subsequent nomination to the Supreme Court are seen as a strategic move to leverage his extensive experience and the insights he has gained from his time at the regional court.
“Justice Asante’s term of office at the ECOWAS court ended on July 31, 2022. He was requested to remain at post on account of the withdrawal of Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso from the community. His current tenure is expected to end in 2026 or earlier when he is expected to return to Ghana’s Judiciary,” she noted.
We don’t need more judges at the Supreme Court; number must be capped at 15 – Buaben Asamoa
