Dr. Dominic Ayine, Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga East, has expressed his agreement with the view that the Supreme Court has been overburdened with appointments.
“I think I agree with that opinion, not because I am NDC, but because, as a professional lawyer and someone who has worked closely with the judiciary for many years,” he said.
He reflected on his professional background and past interactions with the judiciary, noting that he has never witnessed such a significant increase in the number of Supreme Court justices.
Dr. Ayine emphasized that while it is essential for any president to ensure the judiciary functions effectively, the current approach of filling the court with a large number of appointees—allegedly aligned with the ruling party—raises concerns. “The judiciary is one of the key institutions of our democracy, so it is incumbent upon any president to ensure that the judiciary delivers.
But that doesn’t mean you should pack the court with people who are perceived to be aligned with your party.”
Drawing on historical precedents, Dr. Ayine recalled the era of former President Jerry John Rawlings when the Supreme Court comprised fewer than twelve justices. He noted that despite this smaller number, the court was able to render pivotal judgments that continue to be referenced by constitutional lawyers today.
“I remember very well that during the Rawlings era, the Supreme Court had fewer than twelve justices, and they delivered some of the most important landmark judgments that constitutional lawyers refer to today.”
“We don’t need eighteen, nineteen, or twenty justices in the Supreme Court for a small country like Ghana,” he said.
In comparison, he noted that the United States, with its much larger population, operates with only nine Supreme Court justices. Dr. Ayine suggested that Ghana should similarly aim for a more streamlined and efficient judicial body.
He advocated for the Supreme Court to focus on improving its efficiency in delivering judgments rather than expanding its size. “The court itself has to find a more efficient way of delivering judgments,” he said.
Source: A1Radioonline.com | 101.1MHz | Gifty Eyram Kudiabor | Ghana
