ACCRA, GHANA – The parliamentary vetting of Justice Kweku T. Ackaah-Boafo for a Supreme Court position has been indefinitely postponed following the receipt of a petition alleging judicial bias and misconduct against him. Justice Ackaah-Boafo was scheduled to appear before Parliament’s Appointments Committee today, June 18, 2025, but the session was called off after the “controversial and poorly written petition” was submitted.
The petition, filed by Anthony Kwabenya Rau, who identifies as an “international human rights activist,” claims Justice Ackaah-Boafo “insulted and attacked” him during court proceedings, using derogatory language and exhibiting cultural insensitivity. Rau alleges the judge described him as “arrogant” and “power drunk,” and displayed bias, particularly in a case involving the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.
The petitioner argues that Justice Ackaah-Boafo’s appointment to the Supreme Court would be “a disaster” for both national and international interests. Sources close to Justice Ackaah-Boafo have vehemently denied the allegations, dismissing the petition as “incompetent, bogus, unfounded and without any merit whatsoever.” They stated that while the judge is disappointed by the postponement, he remains prepared to appear before the committee when proceedings resume.
These claims stand in contrast to a recent tribute from Benjamin Alpha Aidoo, a Ghana School of Law student taught by Justice Ackaah-Boafo, who described him as “such a gentleman” known for his integrity, warmth, and respect for others, and for consistently demanding high ethical standards from legal practitioners.
Under Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, superior court judges can only be removed for “stated misbehaviour or incompetence” through a specific procedure involving a petition to the President and subsequent investigation. It remains unclear whether Mr. Rau has filed a separate petition with the President regarding Justice Ackaah-Boafo’s conduct.
Parliament’s Standing Orders require petitions to be investigated within 30 days to determine if they warrant further consideration, including whether they are “frivolous or vexatious” or relate to a court decision.
Parliamentary sources confirmed that the matter has been referred to Speaker Alban Bagbin’s office for determination of the next steps, with the Appointments Committee suspending proceedings pending resolution of the allegations. The development represents a significant setback for the judicial appointment process, and the timing of any resumed vetting will depend on the Speaker’s review of the petition and its allegations.
This controversy highlights ongoing debates about judicial independence and the appointment process for Ghana’s highest court.
Sankofaonline
