Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana’s Department of Political Science, Dr Joshua Ebuntie Zaato, has accused President John Dramani Mahama and the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) of abandoning their earlier position on judicial appointments.
Speaking on The Big Issue on Saturday, August 29, Dr Zaato said the NDC’s criticism of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo over his appointments to the Supreme Court appeared inconsistent with the approach being taken by the current administration.
His comments followed Parliament’s approval of three nominees for appointment to the Supreme Court.
The nominees, Justice Sophia Rosetta Bernasko-Essah, Justice Edward Amoako Asante and private legal practitioner Anthony Forson Jnr, were approved by Parliament on Thursday, August 27.
Dr Zaato noted that Akufo-Addo appointed about 20 Supreme Court judges during his eight-year tenure, an average of roughly three appointments annually.
He said the NDC, then in opposition, criticised those appointments as an attempt to influence the composition of the apex court, despite Akufo-Addo’s explanation that some were made to fill vacancies resulting from retirements and deaths.
Dr Zaato argued that the current administration’s appointments should therefore attract the same scrutiny from the NDC.
“If Akufo-Addo was packing the court because of his appointees, then what are you doing?” Dr Zaato asked.
He said the NDC should have maintained the position it defended while in opposition after assuming power.
“Power has made him betray that principle,” he said, referring to President Mahama.
Dr Zaato warned that perceived inconsistencies of this nature could deepen public distrust in politicians, arguing that political parties must be prepared to uphold in government the same principles they defend while in opposition.
Credit: Citi Newsroom