Ensure fair representation of women on election petition panel – Feminist CSOs tell Chief Justice

The Alliance of Feminist CSOs (AFCSOs) has appealed to Chief Justice to ensure a fair gender representation on the panel of judges set to hear the election petition brought before the Supreme Court.

The group says this would be “in alignment to international conventions and best policy norms as enshrined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 and the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security of which Ghana firmly upholds in her constitution.”

“The Alliance wishes to call on your esteemed office, and humbly appeal to yourself, His Lordship Justice Anin Yeboah (CJ) via this letter to ensure a fair representation of 50% women on the panel of judges to hear the election petition in the spirit of the constitution of the Republic of Ghana,” it said in a petition.

Though the group calls for an equal representation, Supreme Court panels are normally odd numbered.

The group noted that there were only five women judges available for selection but contends that “they are highly qualified as judges of the Superior Court purely on merit and dedicated service to the Republic.”

The women judges available are Her Ladyship Justice Agnes M.A. Dordzie, Her Ladyship Justice Mariama Owusu, Her Ladyship Justice Avril Lovelace Johnson, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Torkornoo and Her Ladyship Justice Prof. Henrietta Joy Abena Nyarko Mensa-Bonsu.”

The 2012 election petition had nine judges empanelled to hear the case.