Ghana’s Parliamentary Appointments Committee has recommended the approval of three nominees for appointment to the Supreme Court. This decision follows a vetting process marked by a walkout from the Minority Caucus. The nominees are Justice Sophia Rosetta Bernasko Essah, Justice Edward Amoako Asante, and private legal practitioner Anthony Forson Jnr.
Their approval would expand the number of justices on Ghana’s apex court from 18 to 21. The committee’s recommendation came after a tense sitting on Thursday, August 27, 2026. During this session, the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, raised a preliminary objection to the vetting procedure and timetable. He argued the process was unduly compressed, especially since no vacant seats currently exist on the Supreme Court.
This development fits into a broader pattern of political friction surrounding key appointments and parliamentary procedures in Ghana. The Minority’s objection was not against the nominees' qualifications but the perceived rush. They questioned the justification for fast-tracking these considerations during Parliament’s five-day emergency recall. The Minority maintained that the nominations were only referred to Parliament at the start of this emergency sitting. This limited the usual public opportunity to submit memoranda on the nominees, a critical part of parliamentary scrutiny.
The committee chairman, Bernard Ahiafor, rejected the Minority’s objection, describing their grounds as “flimsy,” “hollow,” and “baseless.” Following this ruling, the Minority subsequently walked out, leaving the Majority side to continue with the vetting process. This incident underscores the deep divisions often seen in Ghanaian parliamentary proceedings when high-stakes appointments are debated.
The three nominees bring extensive legal and judicial experience to the proposed expanded bench. Justice Sophia Rosetta Bernasko Essah is a Justice of the Court of Appeal with significant experience within Ghana’s Judiciary. Justice Edward Amoako Asante, also a Court of Appeal Justice, previously served as President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice for three terms, totaling six years. His regional judicial experience includes work on human rights and international law. Anthony Forson Jnr, the nominee from private legal practice, is a former President of the Ghana Bar Association. He has had a long and distinguished career in the legal profession, bringing a wealth of practical experience.
President John Dramani Mahama made these nominations in consultation with the Judicial Council, as required by Ghana’s constitutional framework. The Council of State subsequently informed the President that it considered the nominees qualified and suitable for the positions. This formal process ensures that all constitutional requirements for judicial appointments are met before parliamentary consideration.
The controversy over these judicial nominations is linked to Parliament’s emergency recall, which ran from August 24 to August 28, 2026. Speaker Alban Kingsford Bagbin stated the recall followed a request from President Mahama. The request aimed to address several urgent matters, including two ministerial nominees, the three Supreme Court nominations, and the Banks and Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions (Amendment) Bill. The Speaker had referred the three judicial nominations to the Appointments Committee for consideration and a report to the House within the recall period. The Minority, however, insisted that the emergency nature of the sitting should not bypass the level of scrutiny expected for Supreme Court nominees.
The committee’s recommendation now paves the way for the three nominations to be presented to the full House for consideration. If Parliament approves them, the nominees will take the required oath before assuming office on the Supreme Court bench. This episode introduces a significant political dimension to what is constitutionally a process of scrutinizing presidential nominations. It highlights ongoing debates about parliamentary oversight and the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches. Observers will watch how the full Parliament handles the final approval vote, and what further political ramifications may arise from this contentious process.