The Majority in Parliament has rallied behind Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Torkornoo's proposal to expand the Supreme Court's bench to 20 judges.

This move comes in response to the Chief Justice's submission of five judges for nomination to President Akufo-Addo, citing the escalating caseload faced by the judiciary.

The proposal has sparked criticism from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), which has labeled it as unlawful.

However, Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has vehemently defended the Chief Justice's authority to make such recommendations, asserting that it falls well within the legal frameworks.

Addressing journalists in Accra on Monday, Afenyo-Markin stated, "We’ve become aware that the chief justice has mooted a proposal to expand the supreme court to 20 judges for efficiency and effectiveness. Some people are saying that the Chief Justice does not have such a mandate to do so. We disagree and would say that per article 125 (4) of the constitution, there are some inherent powers provided for in this provision that allow the Chief Justice as a chief executive and head of the judiciary to make such proposals."

He further elaborated, "The framers of our constitution in their wisdom gave us a minimum ceiling. What did they anticipate? The anticipation was that there could be a possibility in future to increase the number. That is why they did not provide for an upper ceiling… So if you read this and juxtapose it against the 125, 125, 4 that I earlier referred to, clearly you cannot argue that any increase in the number of judges at the Supreme Court above 10 is unconstitutional or that the chief justice is wrong in making such a suggestion or proposal."

Afenyo-Markin emphasized the Chief Justice's role in overseeing the judiciary's administration and stressed her prerogative to propose measures aimed at enhancing operational efficiency within the bounds of the law.