The parliamentary vetting of two new Supreme Court nominees, originally set for July 30, 2024, has been postponed to August 13, 2024, following objections from the minority members of Ghana’s Appointments Committee. The nominees are Justice Sophia Rosetta Bernasko Essah and Professor Richard Frimpong Oppong.
The minority members raised concerns about the short notice and lack of advertisement for the vetting, leading to the decision to delay the proceedings. This stance prompted the Vice Chairperson of the committee to suspend the session scheduled for July 30, 2024, in order to hold discussions with committee leadership to resolve the issues.
Addressing the media, Vice Chairperson Patricia Appiagyei explained the situation: “We were set to vet the two nominees from the presidency for the Supreme Court this morning. However, there were misunderstandings about the procedures needed for a successful vetting. Consequently, we decided to suspend the session. After consultations, we reached a consensus and have rescheduled the vetting to August 13, 2024. We anticipate your presence on the new date.”
The decision underscores the importance of clear procedural understanding and adequate notice in parliamentary processes.