Sekondi MP and Tourism Minister, Andrew Egyapa Mercer, has defended the Chief Justice's request for the appointment of five justices to the Supreme Court, stating that there is nothing wrong with the move. 

Mr Mercer stressed that the Chief Justice, as the head of the Judiciary, has the authority to make such recommendations.

On Thursday, July 4, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) accused President Akufo-Addo and the Chief Justice of colluding to shield current government officials from accountability after their term ends.

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The opposition party alleged that the Judicial Council had unanimously resisted moves to elevate five judges to the Supreme Court, only to be covertly overridden by the Chief Justice and the President.

Fifi Kwetey, the NDC’s General Secretary, expressed concern over the nomination of the five new justices, describing it as unjust and calling for the decision to be contested. 

He highlighted the need for transparency and fairness in the judicial appointment process, emphasising the party's apprehensions about potential bias.

In response to these allegations, Andrew Egyapa Mercer reiterated that the Chief Justice's request is legitimate and that the established processes can be followed. 

He dismissed the concerns raised by the NDC, defending the integrity of the judicial appointment process.

"I hear this talk about the packing of the court and whatnot. This is the politics that is destroying our country. Are we saying that the CJ cannot make such recommendations to the President for appointments to the apex court? I don’t think that this was ill-intentioned. Her letter is just a commencement of the processes and there is nothing wrong with that," he said.