J H wins case no 2

Accra The Supreme Court today unanimously ruled that every presidential nominee for ministerial appointment, whether retained or new, requires the prior approval of parliament. The five-member panel said this in its judgement in a writ filed by Mr. J.H. Mensah, Minority Leader in Parliament, challenging the constitutional status of retained Ministers of State.

The judgement said the "prior approval, however, is not a term of art" and that Parliament has to regulate its procedure of giving approval.

The court by a majority of 4-1 held that "Mr. Mensah's relief that the necessary incident of prior approval is consideration and vetting and further that whoever has not been so approved and appointed cannot lawfully act and hold himself as a minister or deputy minister of state are denied".