ACCRA – Former director of the Ghana School of Law, Kwaku Ansa-Asare, has welcomed President John Mahama’s nomination of Justice Baffoe-Bonnie as Chief Justice, describing it as consistent with constitutional practice and fairness.
Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Wednesday (24 September), Ansa-Asare said the President acted within the law by nominating the most senior justice of the Supreme Court.
“As far as fairness goes, I think it is the fairest thing that the President has done, and we must commend him for sticking to constitutionality,” he said.
He urged the minority in Parliament to take part in the vetting process to avoid politicising the confirmation, adding that adherence to seniority will strengthen Ghana’s democracy and set a positive example in West Africa.
On judicial reform, Ansa-Asare argued that the judiciary lacks the resources to implement meaningful changes without stronger financial independence from the executive.
“Without the desired resources, any talk of reform will never happen. Not until the executive and legislature accord Article 127 of the 1992 Constitution the respect it deserves, judicial independence will come to naught,” he said.
He also called for a review of constitutional provisions governing judicial appointments and discipline, including Articles 144 and 146, which he said currently give undue advantage to the executive.
Ansa-Asare described the removal of Justice Torkonoo as “a terrible mistake” and urged the Supreme Court itself to take steps to rectify what he called a constitutional error.
Source: asaaseradio.com
