Parliament on Tuesday unanimously adopted the vetting report of the Parliamentary Appointment Committee on all seven Supreme Court Justices nominees.This followed the presentation of the report on the floor of Parliament by the Chairman of the Committee, Bernard Ahiafor.The adoption of the report paves way for the President John Dramani Mahama to swear them in into office.The seven Justices are Senyo Dzamefe, Sir Dennis Dominic Adjei, Gbiel Simon Suurbaareh, Philip Bright Mensah, Janapare Adzua Bartels-Kodwo, Hafisata Amaleboba and Kwaku Tawiah Ackaah-Boafo.According to the Chair of the Committee the nominees answered varying questions eloquently on constitutional matters especially on the mandates of the three arms of government, religious and educational matters, problems confronting Legal Aid assistance, Spousal rights, as well as issues bothering on the retiring age of the Judges.He said the committee found that the nominees are eligible as they have served 15 years at the Bar adding that "Justice Dzamefe is the longest serving member at the Appeals Court".He indicated that the nominees were duly vetted and the committee was satisfied with their demonstrated capabilities but the Minority members on the committee all voted against the nominees despite not having anything against their competences.Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who mounted a spirited opposition to the report, argued that even though the nominees are competent the hypocrisy of the Majority who once kicked against more appointments now see nothing wrong with these gross dishonesty they are undertaking, adding that "issues concerning their appointments would lead to a constitutional crises in future, the Majority was prioritising, political convenience over constitutional principle and warned that the move could set a dangerous precedent for future judicial appointments.Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, countered these claims, insisting that all seven nominees were thoroughly vetted and found competent to serve on the nation's highest court.The Speaker, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, had earlier ruled that the Appointments Committee's report was properly constituted and dismissed the Minority's claims that their inputs were excluded.He indicated that parliamentary procedures allows for Minority concerns to be raised during floor debates."You will not be prevented from saying what you want to say.
But the report captures the decision of the whole committee."The session culminated in a voice vote, with the Speaker declaring: "The ayes have it!" before pronouncing the justices duly confirmed.The ruling clears the path for the new justices to be sworn into office and assume their positions on the Supreme Court bench.The approval follows days of tension after Mr Afenyo-Markin initially blocked the report's presentation, claiming the Minority had not endorsed it.The Appointments Committee Chairman, Bernard Ahiafor, had revealed that while the Minority's comments were incorporated, last-minute demands could not be accommodated. BY LAWRENCE VOMAFA-AKPALU
