Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has fiercely criticised a petition lodged against Supreme Court nominee Justice Kweku Tawiah Ackaah-Boafo, denouncing it as “frivolous” and a dangerous precedent for Ghana’s democratic processes.
During the vetting session held by Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Friday, the Minority Leader expressed serious concerns about the rising trend of unsubstantiated accusations being used to undermine the reputations of respected professionals.
“I am in agreement with the views you’ve expressed for and on behalf of this committee,” he stated. “Indeed, as a country, we need to veer off from trivialities and situations where we subject people’s reputation to undue public ridicule.”
The petition was filed by Anthony Kwabenya Rau, a self-described human rights advocate, who accused Justice Ackaah-Boafo of misconduct and partiality in a 2019 legal dispute involving the DVLA. Rau claimed the judge “insulted and attacked” him, referred to him as a “so‑called ‘Messiah’ international Human Rights Activist,” and questioned his legal authority in Ghana.
The petition further described the judge as “arrogant, biased, power‑drunk, an abuser of human rights and supportive of corruption,” cautioning that his appointment to the Supreme Court “will be a disaster.”
However, the committee swiftly dismissed the petition on June 20, branding it “frivolous, vexatious, and a complete abuse of process.” Chairman Bernard Ahiafor cited Article 127(3) of the 1992 Constitution, which shields judges from legal proceedings tied to their judicial decisions.
Afenyo-Markin supported the dismissal, stating, “I am happy that this committee has boldly stood up for democracy and the rule of law in helping deal with matters as frivolous as what came before us.”
He voiced apprehension over the broader implications of entertaining such baseless claims, drawing attention to the ongoing suspension of the Chief Justice based on similar complaints. “If you look at the ongoing trial of the Chief Justice, we have one Daniel Ofori, who refers to a judgment which the CJ was involved in as a basis for attacking the woman and calling for her removal,” he observed.
“If you also read Yakubu Akolgo Ayanga, similar frivolous allegations are made that the Chief Justice made certain pronouncements against him in open court. Unfortunately, these two scenarios have been deemed to constitute a prima facie case amounting to misconduct in justifying an enquiry into the conduct of a Chief Justice, and the Chief Justice is on suspension as a result of this.”
The Minority Leader warned that allowing such developments to gain ground could compromise constitutional bodies and weaken democratic stability. “I am happy that, as a committee, we stood firm to the test and we have risen above pettiness and trivialities,” he said.
Responding to criticisms directed at the minority’s vetting posture, Afenyo-Markin urged the public to grasp the constitutional responsibilities guiding their actions. “My second comment has to do with feedback from certain quarters regarding the minority’s stance on some of the issues that have come up as part of this vetting. I would want to pray that the public appreciates where we are coming from.
“We are not here to get personal; we are here to deal with the law and issues of public policy, [and] good governance.”
