The Attorney-General (AG), Godfred Yeboah Dame, has endorsed the proposal to increase the number of Supreme Court justices from 15 to 20, citing constitutional alignment and improved justice delivery. The AG’s stance comes in response to President Akufo-Addo’s request for counsel on the Chief Justice’s appeal for an expanded Supreme Court bench.
Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo emphasized the urgent need for expansion, highlighting the court’s heavy workload and limited sitting days. The Supreme Court currently functions three days a week, alternating weeks, with a minimum of 15 cases heard daily, translating to 180 matters monthly.
The AG advised the President that the number of justices would depend on the court’s requirements and the administration of justice. He emphasized that increasing the number of justices would ensure speedy and effective justice, minimize delays, and enhance the court’s overall efficiency.
The AG also noted that the Supreme Court’s diverse jurisdictions necessitate differently constituted panels convening concurrently, which can be challenging with the current limited number of justices. The substantial increase in the backlog of cases in recent legal years provides empirical justification for expanding the number of justices to address the rising backlog.
The AG highlighted the need to consider the fiscal implications of appointing additional justices on the public purse. The AG suggested that a constitutional amendment circumscribing the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction may be necessary in the long term, but for now, increasing the number of justices is a viable solution to enhance justice delivery.
