Supreme Court Justices Nominee caution against Frequent Amendments of 1992 Constitution

Supreme Court Nominee, Prof Richard Frimpong Oppong has cautioned against frequent amendments to the 1992 Constitution, stating that it has deepened Ghana’s democracy and should not be treated like any other document.

He made this statement during his vetting by the Parliament Appointment Committee on Tuesday, August 13, 2024.

When asked by Majority Chief Whip and Member of the appointment committee, Hon Frank Annoh-Dompreh, about his stance on calls for constitutional amendments, Prof Oppong emphasized that the constitution has served the country well and should be allowed to grow through judicial interpretation rather than frequent amendments.

“We had a constitutional commission, and they did some good, extensive work on the constitution. A number of proposals came up. I know of a country like Kenya where all provisions in their constitution have been tested. There is a strong school of thought that says that the constitution shouldn’t be subject to amendment changes often. You are a very strong academic. Are there specific provisions in this constitution that you think going forward, in deepening our democracy, we must urgently and necessarily amend?,” Annoh-Dompreh asked.

In response, Prof Oppong said, “I think my personal view is that the 1992 constitution has served the country well. It has deepened the culture of democracy in the country. It has enhanced respect for human rights and the rule of law in the country. It has been the source of stability in the country for so many years,” he said.

Prof Oppong was nominated to the Supreme Court by President Nana Akufo-Addo and is being vetted by the Parliament Appointment Committee.

The committee had earlier vetted his colleague nominee, Justice Sophia Rosetta Odukuwaa Bernasko-Essah, a Justice of the Court of Appeal.

However, the Minority has raised constitutional concerns, questioning the President’s authority to appoint justices to the Supreme Court beyond the provisions of Article 128(1) and (2) of the Constitution.