The Deputy Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Alfred Tuah-Yeboah, has strongly opposed recent remarks made by former Supreme Court Justice, William Atuguba concerning the selection of judges in the country.

Mr Tuah-Yeboah contends that the appointment of judges follows one of the most stringent and thorough processes in the nation.He rejected the notion that judges can be appointed based on arbitrary factors.

He emphasized the independence of the judiciary within the constitutional framework, highlighting the rigorous nature of the selection process.

He explained that even if a candidate has political affiliations, they must undergo this process, which ultimately determines their fitness for the role.

“When it comes to the independence of the judiciary, according to our constitutional architecture, the judiciary is an independent body, albeit manned by people just like you and I. But when it comes to the appointment of judges, we all know that it goes through a rigorous process. So even if you are politically aligned, and you get appointed, the fact that you are going through that process means that at the end of the day, you will either be declared or not declared fit to serve.”

During a public lecture on "Protecting Our Democracy: The Role of the Judiciary," Justice Atuguba stressed the importance of entrusting the appointment of judges and other government officials to independent bodies.

He maintained that judges should be chosen based on merit rather than considerations like protocol, cronyism, ethnicity, or improper influences.

However, Mr Tuah-Yeboah, speaking to the media asserted that the Judicial Council, responsible for appointing judges, comprises individuals and members of organizations that are not easily swayed to favor a particular nominee.

He differentiates between the financial independence of the judiciary, which may have some issues, and the appointment of judges, which he believes follows a robust and impartial procedure.

He underscored that the Judicial Council, especially concerning appointments to the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, includes distinguished men and women, some representing institutions, and their selection is not influenced by their political leanings.

He defends the current framework, stating his endorsement for the tripartite engagement involving the Bar, the Executive, and the Judiciary in the appointment of judges.

While he doesn't completely rule out the possibility of further examination, he believes that the existing constitutional framework is suitable and should be maintained.