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Supreme Court not crowded – Justice Kwofie

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On Wednesday, December 20, 2023, he delivered these remarks during his vetting before the Appointments Committee of Parliament. Justice Kwofie informed the Committee that, about a week ago, during an encounter with a Supreme Court Judge, she said that on that particular day, she had to deal with around 29 cases and had to sit from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. He emphasised that whenever the subject of the number of Supreme Court justices came up, Ghanaians would constantly suggest that the country take a cue from the United States. However, Ghana's legal system differed from that of the United States.

Justice Henry Anthony Kwofie, a Supreme Court judge candidate, has dismissed worries over the Apex Court’s overcrowding.

According to him, the volume of work at the Supreme Court necessitates the addition of extra hands to alleviate the pressure on the incumbent judges.

“If you look at the 12 that we have now, they are actually two panels only; five, five. There are only two judges extra. If they are dealing with a constitutional matter, seven. So with the 12, we actually have only one panel – five more. So the 15 is clearly, as far as I am concerned, I don’t understand what is meant by packing. It is not packing. 

“As of now the three that you are talking about, they are retired, in fact four retired. So if you leave the three who are retired, you have to fill the vacancy otherwise the current crop of Supreme Court Judges very soon they will start falling off given the volume of work,” he said.

On Wednesday, December 20, 2023, he delivered these remarks during his vetting before the Appointments Committee of Parliament.

Justice Kwofie informed the Committee that, about a week ago, during an encounter with a Supreme Court Judge, she said that on that particular day, she had to deal with around 29 cases and had to sit from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

He emphasised that whenever the subject of the number of Supreme Court justices came up, Ghanaians would constantly suggest that the country take a cue from the United States. However, Ghana’s legal system differed from that of the United States.

“Every case that starts from the High Court now, about 90% end up at the Supreme Court because our system, we seem to have an open door policy,” he said.

As a result of this, he emphasised that 15 judges on the Apex Court were not a large number.

On November 10, President Akufo-Addo appointed three Court of Appeal Justices to fill the Supreme Court vacancies created by the obligatory retirement of three Justices earlier this year.

They are Justice Henry Kwofi, Yaw Asare Darko, and Adjei Frimpong, all of whom serve on the Court of Appeal.

Following that, the Minority in Parliament accused President Akufo-Addo of abusing the constitution to bolster the Supreme Court.

On the floor of Parliament on Friday, November 10, South Dayi MP Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor voiced his disappointment with the appointment, noting that there were no openings on the Supreme Court to fill.

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Bawumia pledges free tertiary education for people with disabilities if elected president

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“I am very clear on the way forward. I believe that for persons with disabilities, we are going to support them a bit more. We are giving scholarships to every person but I am going to dedicate some of the monies to our scholarship secretariat and the GET Fund to provide free tertiary education; both tuition and accommodation to every person with a disability who makes it into the university so they can all benefit,” he stated.

Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has committed to giving free tertiary education to all those with disabilities who attend university in Ghana.

He made this known during a meeting with clerics in the Western North Region as part of his continuing national trip.

Dr. Bawumia stated that, while scholarships are intended to benefit all people, his administration will emphasise scholarships for those with disabilities.

The NPP flagbearer stated that the scholarship will cover both academic and residential tuition for all people with disabilities beginning in 2025.

“I am very clear on the way forward. I believe that for persons with disabilities, we are going to support them a bit more. We are giving scholarships to every person but I am going to dedicate some of the monies to our scholarship secretariat and the GET Fund to provide free tertiary education; both tuition and accommodation to every person with a disability who makes it into the university so they can all benefit,” he stated.   

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Stephen Ntim vows to bring Adoumi back to NPP

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Aduomi denied these allegations, stating that he still enjoys the backing of NDC supporters. In an interview with Citi News, Mr Ntim voiced concern over two candidates from the same party running against each other.

Stephen Ntim, the National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has promised to reconcile independent candidate Kwabena Owusu Aduomi into the party.

Aduomi, a former three-time NPP Member of Parliament for the constituency, chose to run as an Independent Candidate in the Ejisu by-election because he believes the NPP has failed to address critical concerns about the existing delegates’ list, jeopardising the party’s integrity and fairness.

Some NPP members accused him of treason, claiming he deserted to the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Aduomi denied these allegations, stating that he still enjoys the backing of NDC supporters.

In an interview with Citi News, Mr Ntim voiced concern over two candidates from the same party running against each other.

“Yes, it is worrying because the two main competitors, Aduomi and Kwabena Boateng belong to the same fold, family. We should not be looking at jubilating, I’m not jubilating. My focus now is on how to bring the Aduomi factor back to the fold, bringing him back to the family.

“So that in December when we are going to face the real political opponents, we are going us a unified NPP front. It shouldn’t be difficult at all. Whatever it is, we are going to reach out. As a national chairman, I’m promising you, we will take up the mantle and reach out to him.”

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Ejisu by-election: NPP discloses next steps after narrow victory

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Their vote share fell from 82.83% in 2020 to 55.8% in 2024. Mr. Francis Adomako, the NPP's Ashanti Regional Organiser, acknowledged the lower margin and ascribed the outcome in part to internal party concerns.

Following the Ejisu seat by-election, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is assessing its achievements and plotting a route for future success.

While their parliamentary candidate, Dr Kwabena Boateng, won with 55.8% of the vote, according to preliminary data, the margin of victory fell short of expectations.

Mr Kwabena Aduomi received 43.3% of the total votes.

Their vote share fell from 82.83% in 2020 to 55.8% in 2024.

Mr Francis Adomako, the NPP’s Ashanti Regional Organiser, acknowledged the lower margin and ascribed the outcome in part to internal party concerns.

In response, the party is preparing to go back to the drawing board, undertaking detailed assessments to find areas for improvement.

Speaking to Joy News, Mr Adomako stated that it is now more important than ever to resolve internal problems and create unity among party members.

He revealed intentions to communicate with disillusioned members, promising to pursue reconciliation and win back those contemplating other options.

He noted that as the country approaches the election later this year, the party must move beyond mere rhetoric to doing action and doing their study.

‘Breaking the 8’ remains the NPP’s ultimate goal, a task that Adomako admitted as difficult but necessary.

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