Arthur Kennedy Criticizes Chief Justice’s Request for 5 More Supreme Court Justices

Dr. Arthur Kobina Kennedy, a former flagbearer aspirant, has strongly criticized the recent request by Ghana’s Chief Justice to appoint five additional judges to the country’s 15-member Supreme Court panel.

The Chief Justice’s recommendation includes specific judges such as Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe, currently presiding over the Cassiel Ato Forson ambulance procurement trial, along with Justices Cyra Pamela Koranteng, Edward Amoako Asante, Eric Kyei Baffour, and Angelina Mensah Homiah.

Dr. Kennedy’s critique centers on what he perceives as a disproportionate increase in the Supreme Court’s size compared to other countries.

He highlighted that the United States, with a population ten times that of Ghana, has only 9 Supreme Court justices, while Ghana currently has 15.

Adding the proposed five judges would bring Ghana’s total to 20, which Dr. Kennedy argues is excessive, especially for a nation facing economic challenges and recurrent appeals for financial aid from international bodies like the World Bank.

Expressing concern over the judicial integrity and reputation of Ghana’s Supreme Court, Dr. Kennedy pointed out instances where he believes the court’s decisions have been controversial and partisan.

He cited the removal of Electoral Commission officials and its handling of recent election petitions as examples that have tarnished the court’s once esteemed reputation.

Dr. Kennedy emphasized that such decisions have drawn criticism from various quarters, including National Security Minister Kan Dapaah and former President Mahama, alleging biased rulings that undermine judicial independence and fairness.