Parliament has approved the nomination of Justice Gertrude Torkornoo as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
The acceptance did not come without a debate from both sides of the Chamber.
The minority had already expressed their support for Justice Torkornoo at a press conference held on Tuesday, despite their strong disagreement with the Supreme Court’s recent judgment on James Gyakye Quayson of Assin North.
Justice Torkornoo was part of the 7-Member panel that annulled the election of Quayson, thus it was not surprising that she faced intense scrutiny from the Minority when she appeared before the Appointments Committee on May 26 after her nomination.
The Minority had initially insisted that no decision be made on her nomination until the full judgment in the case was released.
After the apex court had released a ruling on James Quayson and ordered that Parliament delete his name from its records, the MP for Bawku, Mahama Ayariga, speaking at a press conference on behalf of the Minority, explained that despite their differences with Justice Torkornoo, they believe she possesses the qualifications necessary to serve as Chief Justice.
On Wednesday, the NDC MPs at a press conference said they had “reached a unanimous decision to approve the Chief Justice nominee.”
However, the NDC representatives still raised some concerns that they hoped she would address as part of her mandate which included the details of the ruling that ousted James Gyakye Quayson as the Assin North MP.
Tamale South legislator, Haruna Iddrisu, urged the Chief Justice-nominee to act fairly in the administration of justice.
He emphasized the importance of discharging her duties without fear, favor, or political influence, while upholding her judicial oath.
Mr. Iddrisu also stated that Justice Araba Essaba Torkornoo’s elevation to Chief Justice was a natural progression, considering her previous positions from the High Court to the Court of Appeal.
“It is only natural that if she is chosen and recognized by the President, she will have our support. Let us all support and wish her well,” he added.
Chairman of the Constitutional Legal & Parliamentary Affairs Committee, Kwame Anyimadu Antwi, hoped that Justice Torkornoo would adhere to the principles of her mandate, as reaffirmed in the Appointment Committee’s report.
Portions of the report read; “the nominee showed character, competence and dexterity in the knowledge of the law. She pledged to interpret the law without fear or favor if approved as Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana.”
Source: Myxyzonline.com