Lamtiig Apanga, the acting deputy chief executive of the Gaming Commission of Ghana, has said President John Dramani Mahama’s nominations to the Supreme Court should be regarded as replacements for judges nearing retirement rather than an attempt to reshape the court for political advantage.
Speaking on a television current-affairs programme on Saturday, July 18, Apanga responded to objections from the Minority in Parliament, which has described the nomination of three people to the apex court as an effort to expand the President’s influence over the judiciary.
President Mahama has nominated Court of Appeal Justices Sophia Bernasko-Essah and Amoako Asante, alongside legal practitioner and former Ghana Bar Association President Tony Forson, for appointment to the Supreme Court.
Apanga said the nominations were part of a succession process intended to preserve the court’s operational strength as vacancies arise. He stressed that the individuals named have been nominated, rather than appointed, and must still complete the required constitutional procedures before taking office.
According to Apanga, several justices are approaching retirement, making it necessary to begin the process of identifying successors early. He said the expected retirements include that of the Chief Justice, whom he said is due to retire in December, as well as other members of the bench.
He rejected the suggestion that the nominations were intended to increase the court’s membership for partisan reasons, saying their purpose was to manage numbers, provide replacements and ensure continuity.
The nominees are expected to undergo the constitutionally required vetting and approval processes before any appointment to the Supreme Court is finalised.
