The Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has informed the House that President Nana Akufo-Addo has nominated Justice Sophia Rosetta Bernasko Essah and Professor Richard Frimpong Oppong to the Supreme Court of Ghana following the pending retirement of JSC Nii Ashie Kotey and JSC Mariama Owusu.

According to a communication from the President to the Rt. Hon. Speaker, the nominees were submitted to the President by Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Essaba Torkornu, on the advice of the Judicial Council and in further consultation with the Council of State.

The Rt. Hon. Speaker has since referred the nominees to the Appointments Committee for consideration and report to the House.

The latest nomination comes weeks after the Chief Justice, Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo wrote a letter to President Akufo-Addo, asking him to nominate five judges to the Supreme Court.

According to the Chief Justice, the Supreme Court needs more judges to handle the overwhelming number of cases currently before it.

Among the judges recommended is Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe, the current judge presiding over the Ato Forson ambulance procurement trial.

The four other judges are Justice Cyra Pamela Koranteng, Justice Edward Amoako Asante, Justice Eric Kyei Baffuour and Justice Angelina Mensah Homiah.

But the Chief Justice's procedure has been widely condemned by various groups and individuals this action was massively condemned by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), with some calling for the resignation of the Chief Justice.

However, the latest nomination by the President did not include the names suggested by the Chief Justice leaving many to wonder if the nominations have been rejected by the President or if they are still pending approval and consideration.

When the two new nominees are approved by parliament, the current number of justices at the Supreme Court will increase to 17.

Sompaonline.com/Nana Yaw Boamah