Supreme Court nominees: Mahama restoring balance to apex court – Prof Khalid

Economic Advisor to the Vice President, Professor Sharif Khalid Mahmud, commented on President John Dramani Mahama’s recent nomination of seven justices to the Supreme Court. He described this move as a strategic effort to restore balance in the court.

Speaking on Channel One TV's The Big Issue on Saturday, May 3, Prof Khalid emphasized that this action should be viewed historically. He believes it reflects a pattern of democratic recalibration rather than partisanship.

“In my opinion, I see the President’s appointment of these judges as a balancing act,” he stated. He also discussed the history of Supreme Court appointments under Ghana’s Fourth Republic.

Prof Khalid noted that each administration has contributed significantly to the bench's composition. Rawlings appointed 10 justices, while Kufuor appointed 17 from 2000 to 2008. Mills appointed three in four years and Mahama appointed four in his term.

After Mahama, Nana Akufo-Addo appointed 15 justices over eight years. With Mahama's latest seven appointments, he will have nominated a total of 11 justices.

Prof Khalid’s comments come amid discussions about judicial appointments' politicization and concerns over judicial independence. However, he stressed that all appointments should be seen as part of institutional evolution. This aims to maintain ideological and generational balance on the Supreme Court bench.