Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has accused the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) of hypocrisy following President John Dramani Mahama’s nomination of three individuals to the Supreme Court.
On Wednesday, July 17, 2026, President Mahama submitted the names of Justice Sophia Rosetta Bernasko Essah, a Court of Appeal judge; Justice Edward Amoako Asante, also of the Court of Appeal and former President of the ECOWAS Court; and Tony Forson, a private legal practitioner and former President of the Ghana Bar Association, for approval by Parliament.
The nominations were made in consultation with the Judicial Council, in line with constitutional requirements. Parliament is expected to vet and approve the nominees before they can assume their roles on the Supreme Court bench.
Reacting to the announcement, Afenyo-Markin recalled that the NDC had strongly opposed similar appointments under former President Akufo-Addo, accusing his administration of “packing the court.” He cited heated parliamentary debates and confrontations during those approval processes, noting that the NDC had previously described such nominations as undermining judicial independence.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Afenyo-Markin stated: “Time has exposed them. They are double standard, their hypocrisy, and their unprincipled posture. Is it now okay to nominate more judges to the Supreme Court?”
The Minority Leader’s comments have reignited debate over judicial appointments, with attention now focused on Parliament’s vetting process and the eventual approval of the three nominees.
