Chief Justice appeals to President to fill
vacancies at Supreme Court
Accra, Aug. 20, Ghanadot/GNA - Mrs Georgina Theodora
Wood, the Chief Justice, has appealed to President John
Evans Atta Mills to fill three vacant positions at the
Supreme Court of Ghana.
She also submitted the names of three Appeal Court
Justices approved by the Judicial Council for the
consideration of the President.
The Chief Justice stated the appeal in a letter to the
President, dated August 12.
She said it had become necessary to enhance considerably
the administration of justice as enshrined in Article
128 (1) of the 1992 Constitution.
The said article states: “The Supreme Court shall
consist of the Chief Justice and not less than nine
other Justices of the Supreme Court.”
Additionally, Article 128(2) states: “The Supreme Court
shall be duly constituted for its work by not less than
five Supreme Court Justices, except as otherwise
provided in Article 33 of the 1992 Constitution.”
There are currently 11 justices of the Supreme Court,
including the Chief Justice.
The passing away of Justice Professor Tawiah Modibo
Ocran in October last year, retirement of Justice
Theodore Adzoe also in October 2008 and the resignation
of Justice Francis Y. Kpegah last December have
currently created vacancies at the Supreme Court.
The letter stated: “In view of the reasons stated above,
the names of the following Justices of the Court of
Appeal were submitted to the Judicial Council for
consideration for appointment to the Supreme Court -
Justice B. T. Aryeetey, Justice S. N. Gbadegbe and
Justice Vida Akoto-Bamfo.”
The Chief Justice said the Judicial Council at its
meeting on August 12, approved the recommendations.
“In accordance with Article 144(2) of the Constitution,
the three recommended names are humbly submitted for
your consideration,” the letter said.
GNA
