Georgina Wood Approved As CJ

PARLIAMENT yesterday approved the nomination of Mrs Georgina Theodora Wood as Chief Justice, thus securing her a berth in the annals of the country as the first woman to hold that position.

The consensus approval followed the adoption of the second report of the Appointments Committee by the House.

She is expected to be sworn in by the President some time next week.

Presenting the report, the chairman of the Appointments Committee, Freddie Blay, CPP Ellembelle, and First Deputy Speaker said "after having considered her in a two-hour gruelling session, Mrs Wood satisfactorily answered questions on a variety of other issues that enabled the committee to carefully consider her eligibility for the appointment."

The Committee found that she was forthright in answers to questions put to her and did not shy away from controversial matters," he said.

"She convinced the committee that she was knowledgeable, fair and sufficiently abreast with weaknesses in the justice delivery process and was capable of addressing them," he added.

Mr Blay said having fully met the requirements of the constitution in addition to her performance at the public hearing, Mrs Justice Wood is competent and an excellent choice for the position of Chief Justice of the Republic.

Mr Blay said the committee reviewed the relevant constitutional requirement for appointment as Chief Justice, which were not different from those for appointment to the supreme Court, namely articles 1238(4) and 14 (2)(a).

He said in respect of article 128(4), the committee fund out that the nominee had more than years standing as a lawyer and therefore qualified.

"As regard the character and integrity of the nominee, the committee did not make adverse findings against her," he said.

Mr Blay said checks conducted by the committee confirmed that the nominee is 60 years and therefore fully satisfied the requirements of the constitution.

Mr Blay expressed dissatisfaction about some people who went on to radio stations to lambast the committee with unjustifiable accusations which tended to cast a slur on the integrity of the House.

He said the Committee had had the opportunity to vet not less than there Chief Justices and in each case it lasted not more than one hour.

Mr Blay said in the case of Mrs Justice Wood it lasted for two hours and members were given ample opportunity to confront her with questions and petitions.

Alhaji Abubakar Sunani (NDC Tamale North) said the President had made a good choice for the post of CJ describing

said the President had made a good choice for the post of CJ describing Justice Wood as a self made woman and capable of facing anyone anywhere and acquit herself.

He said Mrs Justice Wood was his colleague at the law school where she exhibited qualities of leadership and freely socialised with everyone adding she was born to lead I am not surprised, "she is going to make Ghanaians proud."

Mrs Esther Obeng (NPP-Abirem) said her nomination and approval was the best thing to have happened to a woman in Ghana and Africa.

said her nomination and approval was the best thing to have happened to a woman in Ghana and Africa. Kenneth Dzirasah (NDC South Tongu) expressed the hope that Mrs Justice Wood’s independent thought would be brought to bear in all decision making especially in matters that have political colouration."

expressed the hope that Mrs Justice Wood’s independent thought would be brought to bear in all decision making especially in matters that have political colouration." Mr Dzirasah said while recognising that the choice of CJ is a presidential prerogative, the president should exercise such prerogative at all times to encourage high morale within the judiciary especially when it had to do with seniority on the bench.

J. H. Mensah (NPP-Sunyani East) urged the CJ to look at the Fast Track Courts so that they did not relapse in the same mode as the system they were supposed to deal with.

urged the CJ to look at the Fast Track Courts so that they did not relapse in the same mode as the system they were supposed to deal with. He urged the CJ to expeditiously deal with land issues so that it did serve as an impediment to economic growth as well as the perception of corruption within the judiciary.

Francis Agbotse (NDC-Ho West) said the Parliamentary Committee on the judiciary had found that corruption in the judiciary was real and urged her to continue with the battle against the practice initiated by her predecessor the late Justice George Kingsley Acquah.

said the Parliamentary Committee on the judiciary had found that corruption in the judiciary was real and urged her to continue with the battle against the practice initiated by her predecessor the late Justice George Kingsley Acquah. Christine Churcher (NPP-Cape Coast), Enoch J. Mensah (NDC-Ningo/Prampram), Yaw Osafo-Maafo) NPP Akyim Oda) also contributed.