SC nominee throws light on the Ghanaian identity

Accra, Sept. 15, GNA- A nominee to the Supreme Court, on Wednesday noted that a Ghanaian may hail from a maternal or paternal home as demanded by most traditions, but a person who falls outside such considerations may earn a dual ethnicity.

Mr Richard Twum Aninakwa, who appeared before the Parliamentary Appointments Committee, however explained that not all Ghanaians hail from where they were born. Alhaji Mohammad Mumuni, Member for Kumbumgu, had asked for the Appeal Court Judge's opinion on a pending legal question. The issue arose when Mr Samuel Nyamakan, former member for Wulensi was disqualified on the grounds that he did not hail from the constituency.

Mr Aninakwa sat over the case as a High Court Judge, which was concluded at the Supreme Court against Mr Nyamakan. The nominee called for the extension of the retirement age of 70, for members of the Bench to enable experienced judges to share their knowledge with upcoming lawyers. "Some retire when they are full of energy and can help increase the knowledge of law in the country."

On the Supreme Court Ruling that allowed for the inclusion of new constituencies in the 2004 General Election, Mr Aninakwah said, the decision averted absurdities in the interpretation of the constitution on the matter. He said the tenure of Parliament and other factors may have convinced the Court to arrive at the decision. Mr Aninakwah said the Law on "Causing Financial Loss to the State" should not be struck out of the statutes in a rush. He said it could serve as reminder to public office holders that one day they may account for their actions.

"People may be afraid to take initiatives due to the law but I think that the law makers had a reason for making that law so let us give it some time before doing something about it." Answering a question on his student days in Kumasi, Mr Aninakwah said: "President Kufuor was may junior at Prempeh College.