SC Nominee refuses birth certificate questions

Supreme Court Nominee Justice Barbara Frances Ackah-Yensu has refused to critique Supreme Court verdict that birth certificate is not a proof of a Ghanaian citizenship until she is approved by Parliament. This was after both Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu, Chairman of the Appointment Committee of Parliament and First Deputy Speaker Joseph Osei Owusu asked for her view on the matter.

Supreme Court Nominee Justice Barbara Frances Ackah-Yensu was the first to take her turns at the Appointment Committee of Parliament.

Justice Barbara Frances Ackah-Yensu turned down the invitation to critical examine the Supreme Court verdict that birth certificate is not a proof of Ghanaian citizenship. She insisted she could not critique the Supreme Court verdict on birth certificate until she is approved by Parliament.

Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu expressed reservations about the increasing number of judges at the Supreme Court. According to him, John Mahama appointed only 28% of Judges to the Supreme Court as president but President Akufo-Addo has done a whopping 78%. In his opening remarks before the vetting, the Tamale South MP Haruna Iddrisu said too much appointment of Apex Court justices puts intense pressure on the public purse.

Former Deputy Interior Minister James Agalga asked whether the Supreme Court Nominee Justice Ackah-Yensu hold the view that Supreme Court is being packed by President Akufo-Addo for political reasons. Justice Ackah-Yensu insists the Supreme Court Justices are appointed when there is a vacancy at the apex court devoid of political interest.

With reference to Afrobarometer survey where only 16% of Ghanaians trust the judiciary, Justice Ackah-Yensu was asked what can be done to restore total confidence in the judiciary. Justice Ackah-Yensu said Afrobarometer survey that 84% of the Ghaianan population does not have confidence in the judiciary is not accurate, adding that a lot more scientific ways of measuring judicial integrity, trust and confidence in the judiciary is needed settle the matter.

Apart from touching on judicial comportments including patience, humility, courage, integrity and fairness, Justice Barbara Frances Ackah-Yensu called for the urgent need to intensify public education on Alternative Dispute Resolution. On capital punishment and where her faith, morality and conviction are against the law, Justice Ackah-Yensu said she will act in accordance with the law depending on the matter before her.

She is advocating the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution to resolve galamsey cases.