Chief Justice Nominee, Gertrude Torkornoo has urged the Appointments Committee of Parliament to examine her work as a whole and not based on the judgements of the Supreme Court.
Responding to a decision by the Minority side on the Committee not to vote on her today, May 26, 2023, following the vetting until they receive the reason for the Supreme Court’s decision to Parliament to remove the name of Assin North Member of Parliament, James Gyakye Quayson, from the records of Parliament, the Chief Justice nominee explained that when seven people are working together that is why very often, for almost every judgment that is given the reasons come out long after the orders.
“The Supreme Court is not a court unless there are five or seven people. My answer is that I have given hundreds of judgments from High Court till now, it would be a great relief if I am assessed on my work as a whole, not the judgments of the Supreme Court.”
Gertrude Torkornoo
The Bawku Central MP, Mahama Ayariga, during the vetting stated that the minority had a challenge with the apex court’s refusal to give the reasons for the orders. He indicated that there is uncertainty among the MPs knowing that the Supreme Court is a constitutional Court that should guide the country as to how to run public affairs.
“The Minority had a reservation because you participated in the decision involving James Quayson. You did not give a reason for your judgment. So, as we speak, we don’t know the basis on which the court arrived at that conclusion… [But] we have reached a negotiated position with our colleagues. We will not vote on you today after this hearing. When we finish today and when the Supreme Court gives the reason we will have another opportunity to now assess on the basis of the quality of the reasoning of the court and then we can take the debate.”
Mahama Ayariga
Prior to Mr Ayariga’s comment, the Minority Leader Dr Cassiel Ato Forosn revealed that they were waiting for the written judgment of the apex court on the Assin North legislator. Dr Forson noted that the Minority wanted to vet her, especially on the order given to Parliament, however, it first requires copies of the judgment.
Torkornoo defends decision by Supreme Court
Meanwhile, Chief Justice nominee, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, has defended the decision by the Supreme Court to issue contempt summons to persons who insult or denigrate the image of the apex court.
Appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee, the Supreme Court Justice highlighted that summoning people for contempt is a tool to keep the dignity and reputation of the Courts in Ghana.
“The issuing of contempt summons has always been a tool that has been used by courts to ensure that the dignity of the court is not scandalized. The [Supreme] Court is one out of 400 courts, and it is the ultimate voice, so whenever the court acts, whether it is the High Court, Court of Appeal, or Supreme Court, it is to ensure that the Justice system is not scandalized.”
Justice Gertrude Torkornoo,
It will be recalled that a lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr. Michael Kpessa-Whyte, was on Thursday, May 24, 2023, summoned by the Supreme Court for making some derogatory comments.
In a Twitter post, Dr. Kpessa-Whyte referred to the Supreme Court as a “Stupid Court”. He further criticized the current state of Ghana’s judiciary, accusing it of partisanship.
Dr. Kpessa-Whyte’s tweets came shortly after the Supreme Court ordered Parliament to remove the name of NDC MP, James Gyakye Quayson, from its records due to procedural breaches during his nomination and election in 2020.
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