The Minority in Parliament is calling for the vetting of three Supreme Court nominees to be postponed, questioning the need to fast-track the process when the apex court has no immediate vacancy.

Addressing the issue ahead of Thursday’s vetting, August 27, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin argued that the Supreme Court is functioning with its full complement of justices and continues to hear and determine cases.

He therefore questioned why Parliament should be required to complete the vetting within the limited period of the emergency recall.

“If there is no vacancy to fill, there is certainly no emergency compelling anyone to fill it inside three days. There is no fire here,” he said.

The nominees are Justice Sophia Bernasko-Essah and Justice Edward Amoako Asante, both Justices of the Court of Appeal, as well as private legal practitioner Anthony Forson Jr., a former President of the Ghana Bar Association.

Mr Afenyo-Markin said the nominations could be considered at a more appropriate time, proposing that the Appointments Committee undertake the vetting in September and present its report when Parliament resumes in October.

He also dismissed the argument that the judiciary’s vacation period warranted an expedited process, pointing out that the Supreme Court remains operational and is able to deal with matters requiring immediate attention.

The Minority Leader, however, indicated that his caucus was prepared to support the immediate vetting of the two ministerial nominees—Bawku Central MP Mahama Ayariga and Korle Klottey MP Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings.

The two are awaiting vetting for the positions of Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs and Minister for Environment, Science and Technology respectively.

Mr Afenyo-Markin maintained that while the Minority was not opposed to the consideration of the nominees, it would resist what it considers an unwarranted rush in dealing with the Supreme Court nominations.

He stressed that Parliament has adequate time to undertake a thorough vetting without sacrificing the quality of its scrutiny.