Speculations about the nomination of Justice Anin Yeboah to the position of Chief Justice has finally been confirmed by the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
A communiqué from the President addressed to the Parliament of Ghana in part read “In order to avoid a vacuum in the office of the Chief Justice following her retirement, I have decided to initiate the process for the replacement of her successor. To that end, the letter dated 2nd December, 2019, pursuant to Article 144 (1) of the Constitution, I consulted with the Council of State with my nominee, Mr. Justice Anin Yeboah, Justice of the Supreme Court who has been at the court for the last eleven years, and five years on the Court of Appeal prior to that to succeed Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo”.
He added “The Council of State have notified me by a letter under the hand of the Chairperson dated 11th December 2019, of the successful completion of the consultation process. Now in accordance with Article 104(1) of the Constitution, I would like to inform you that I have nominated Justice Anin Yeboah, Justice of the Supreme Court, for approval by Parliament, as the next Chief Justice. Enclose is a copy of his CV for your attention. I am fully satisfied that Justice Anin Yeboah is fully qualified and eminently fit to occupy the Office of the Chief Justice. Mr. Speaker, it is my respectful hope that the approval by Parliament of Justice Anin Yeboah can proceed expeditiously to enable him assume office as soon as practicable following the retirement of Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo”.
The communiqué was read by the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Joseph Osei Owusu, who was presiding over Thursday’s sitting.
The House was considering the 2020 annual budget estimates for some Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) when the Speaker interjected and read to the hearing of Members, the communiqué announcing the President’s nomination to the Office of the Chief Justice.
The nominee was accordingly referred to the Appointments Committee of Parliament for consideration and report to the plenary.
Justice Anin Yeboah is the fourth longest-serving Justice of the Supreme Court. If approved, he will succeed Justice Sophia Abena Boafoa Akuffo, who retires on December 20, 2019.
Justice Anin Yeboah is a well-seasoned lawyer who was appointed to the Supreme Court by former President, John Agyekum Kufuor in June 2008.
He also served as a Justice of the High Court and the Court of Appeal.
