Supreme Court nominee, Justice Senyo Dzamefe, has stated that achieving gender parity in national appointments, especially to the judiciary, should be based on merit rather than simply meeting numerical targets.

Appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee, Justice Dzamefe emphasised that while gender balance is essential, competence and qualification must remain the key criteria for selecting individuals to serve on the highest court.

"Gender parity does not necessarily mean that you appoint women to satisfy the numbers. No. If the woman is qualified equally as the man, then if you are appointing, you look at that. You don't give the chances to men as against women, but that does not mean you push ladies who are not qualified for the job just to satisfy the numbers," he said.

He was responding to questions about the representation of women on the Supreme Court bench.

While acknowledging the importance of inclusion, he cautioned against tokenism, stressing that judicial appointments must reflect meritocracy.

Justice Dzamefe’s remarks come amid heightened calls from civil society and gender advocates for greater female representation in state institutions, including the Judiciary.

His comments add to the ongoing national conversation about balancing inclusion with competence in public appointments.