Supreme Court nominee, Justice Hafisata Amaleboba, has expressed support for proposals to cap the number of justices on Ghana’s highest court, but emphasised the need to resolve existing judicial challenges before implementing such a measure.
“I support capping the number of Supreme Court judges, but we should not rush to do so until we address the challenges facing the Supreme Court, such as case backlogs and its various jurisdictions,” Justice Amaleboba said during her vetting by Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.
She noted that a premature cap, without tackling issues such as overlapping jurisdictions and a growing caseload, might only create further complications.
“Prematurely capping the number could necessitate frequent constitutional amendments if increases are justified. Once these issues are resolved, we can better assess annual caseloads and establish a reasonable cap,” she added.
Presently, the Supreme Court comprises 13 justices. Should all seven current nominees, including Justice Amaleboba, be approved, the number would increase to 20. This anticipated expansion has sparked debate among legal practitioners and lawmakers concerning its effect on judicial efficiency and public confidence.
Justice Amaleboba also addressed the sensitive role of judges who simultaneously hold traditional titles, urging them to exercise restraint in public political discourse.
“As a judge and a chief, one must be measured in political commentary, especially in supporting one group over another,” she said. “Judges should exercise restraint in their language to maintain neutrality.”
On matters of family law, she clarified that existing legislation already provides avenues for child support within marriage.
“In Ghana, we already have provisions for child support, referred to as maintenance,” she said. “Under the law, one can apply for maintenance without seeking divorce.”
She further explained that adoption proceedings begin with an evaluation conducted by the Department of Social Welfare before moving to the courts, with a Central Adoption Authority now tasked with enhancing the process.
The Appointments Committee is expected to finalise its vetting process in the coming days and submit its report to Parliament for further action.
