General Secretary for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, says the majority in parliament has failed in properly dealing with the controversy surrounding the nomination and vetting of Chief Justice nominee, Justice Anin-Yeboah.
The refusal of the Minority in Parliament to participate in the scheduled vetting date as announced by President Akufo-Addo has nothing to do with the person of the nominee, but the timing, Mr Nketiah has said.
He finds the rush mind-boggling, asking “the person has already been nominated so why the rush in approving him”.
Two leaders in Parliament have traded insults over the vetting date for the nominated Chief Justice.
First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joe Osei Owusu, and Minority Chief Whip, Muntaka Mohammed have called each other liars on a live radio programme over the matter.
Joe Osei-Owusu was close to tears after learning the Minority had accused him of trying to alter the procedures for the nominee who happens to be his ‘friend.’
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The Minority has announced its intention to boycott the vetting because the proposed date falls short of the “practice” of giving the public two weeks’ notice to send memoranda ahead of the vetting.
The NDC General Secretary, speaking on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem on Tuesday, said the best way of approving a Chief Justice is to get consensus from all parties.
He said approving the Chief Justice by the right processes is not only in the interest of the Chief Justice nominee but also in the interest of the country and the government in power.
The power of approval of nomination, he noted, is one of the most important tools and should not be taken for granted.
“The position of Chief Justice is no joke; he is just like a representative of God who will judge people so we need to be free and fair about it,” he added.
He said the conduct of the majority in parliament is rather creating the impression that they are hiding something of interest from Ghanaians.