Justice George Kingsley Koomson
THE APPOINTMENTS Committee of Parliament, by majority decision, has recommended to the House the approval of the nomination of Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu and Justice George Kingsley Koomson for appointment as judges to the Supreme Court.
The two were among four nominees considered by the committee as Justices to the Supreme Court, pursuant to Article 128(4) of the 1992 Constitution and Standing Order 74.
Already, the House has approved the nominations of their colleagues, Justices Barbara Frances Ackah-Yensu and Samuel Kwame Adibu Asiedu for appointment to the apex court.
The four were nominated by President Nana Akufo-Addo and announced in Parliament on July 26, 2022, by Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin.
He told the House that President Akufo-Addo explained in the communication that the appointment was as a result of pending and projected vacancies at the Supreme Court this year.
The Speaker said the letter of the President also indicated that the Judicial Council advised him (President) on July 4, 2022 by a letter under the hand of its Chairperson, Chief Justice Annin Yeboah of the suitability of his nominations for appointment to the court for the named persons in accordance with Article 144 Clause 2 of the Constitution of the Republic.
“Upon receipt of the Judicial Council’s advice and in accordance with my duty under Article 144 Clause 2, I consulted the Council of State by submitting the names and curriculum vitae of the nominees for appointment to the court,” the Speaker quoted the President as saying.
“The Council of State has, by a letter dated July 26, 2022, notified me of the successful completion of the consultation process,” President Akufo-Addo reportedly said.
“I am therefore, in accordance with Article 144 Clause 2, seeking the approval of Parliament for the appointment of the nominees as justices of the Supreme Court.
“Their CVs are hereby attached. I am fully satisfied that each of these persons is duly qualified and eminently fit to discharge the functions of a justice of the Supreme Court,” the correspondence intimated.
Speaker Bagbin said the President had asked the House to expeditiously proceed with the approval of the nominees to enable them assume office as soon as practicable.
Mr. Bagbin consequently referred the nominees to the Appointments Committee for consideration and report to the House.
After subjecting all the justices to public hearing, the Appointments Committee laid its first report in the House on December 7, 2022, which was silent on Justice George Kingsley Koomson and Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu.
DAILY GUIDE gathered that some members on the committee, particularly the Minority, had kicked against their nominations to the Supreme Court, tagging one of them as an NPP man and the other as having issues to deal with, regarding the Ejura Committee.
At a plenary sitting yesterday, the Appointments Committee laid a new report on the two Justices, calling on members to approve their nominations for appointments to the Supreme Court.
Demonstrable Proficiency
“The Nominees demonstrated proficiency in the knowledge of the law and showed character and competence. They pledged to uphold the principles of the Constitution without fear or favour, and avoid partisanship in their rulings,” the report read in part.
BY Ernest Kofi Adu, Parliament House