Introduction
As part of the implementation of the SIIE-IR 2023-2025 project designed by the European Union (EU) from the gaps identified by the EU Election Observer Mission (EUOMs) during the 2020 general elections period in Ghana, the Institute of Democratic Governance (IDEG), one of the implementing institutions paid a visit to the Chief Justice’s premises. Priority three (3) of the five (5) recommendations advocates the setting of timeframes within which rulings on parliamentary election petitions by the High Court and Court of Appeal will be delivered and published.
This visit was primarily to follow-up on the consultation done with the former Chief Justice, His Lordship Anin-Yeboah and the Rules of Court Committee on April 14th 2023. Also, the consultation was to; (1) discuss strategies to implement the recommendation; (2) and ascertain alternative approaches, if any, for implementing of the EU recommendation. The entourage that visited the premises of the Chief Justice (CJ) comprised the project teams of IDEG and CDD and were accompanied by the Civic Forum Initiative (CFI) and CODEO.
Also present were members of the Elections Management Committee (EMC) which included H/L Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie (JSC) – Chairman, H/L Justice Issifu Omor Tanko (JSC), H/L Justice Emmanuel Yonny Kulendi (JSC), H/L Justice Samuel Kwame Asiedu Adibu (JSC), H/L Justice Sophia Rosetta Bernasko Essah (JA), H/L Justice Cynthia Pamela Addo (JA), H/L Justice Kwasi Boakyi (J), and Mrs. Gifty Preko Nyarko – Deputy Director for Judicial Reforms and secretary for the committee.
This report provides a summary of the key issues which emerged from the discussion.