Retired Justice calls for greater diversity in Supreme Court appointments
In an interview on JoyNews, Justice Atuguba acknowledged that while some of Mahama’s appointees were competent, the overall composition of the court could have benefited from a wider array of backgrounds.
Retired Supreme Court Justice William Atuguba has expressed concern over the lack of professional diversity in recent Supreme Court appointments, suggesting that President John Mahama should have broadened his pool of nominees to include distinguished lawyers from the bar and academia.
In an interview on JoyNews, Justice Atuguba acknowledged that while some of Mahama’s appointees were competent, the overall composition of the court could have benefited from a wider array of backgrounds.
Drawing from personal experience, Atuguba noted that he himself, along with former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo, had been appointed to the Supreme Court directly from the Bar. He emphasized that a well-balanced judiciary should include individuals from varied legal experiences, especially academia and private legal practice.
He highlighted the Supreme Court’s role as Ghana’s primary constitutional authority, noting that it functions, in practice, like a constitutional court—even if not formally designated as such, as in countries like South Africa.
Justice Atuguba expressed concern that the current bench lacks this mix of perspectives. He warned against overlooking experienced and competent candidates from diverse legal sectors, especially when seniority is bypassed without just cause.
“Bypassing competent seniority doesn’t serve the nation well. It’s not about seniority for its own sake, but about ensuring that those with the right experience and track record are not overlooked,” he concluded.
