Supreme Court Throws Out Defeamekpor’s Injunction Application against Parliament Describing it as Frivolous

The Supreme Court of Ghana has dismissed an application for an injunction against the approval of President Akufo-Addo’s new ministerial appointees. The application was filed by Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, a Member of Parliament representing South Dayi, but was deemed frivolous and an abuse of court processes by the apex court.

Today’s proceedings in the Supreme Court witnessed interesting twists as the fate of newly nominated ministers and reshuffled ministers appointed by President Akufo-Addo hung in the balance. Dafeamekpor’s application was the basis on which the Speaker of Parliament had decided to withhold approval for the new appointees after their vetting process.

In his lawsuit against the Speaker of Parliament and the Attorney General, Dafeamekpor argued that President Akufo-Addo should have sought parliamentary approval before reassigning ministers whose appointments were revoked. The reshuffle, which occurred on February 14, 2024, saw 13 ministers and 10 deputy ministers relieved of their posts, while 6 were reassigned to various portfolios.

However, the Supreme Court’s dismissal of the injunction application indicates that the process of approving the President’s ministerial appointees can proceed unimpeded. This decision resolves the legal uncertainty surrounding the status of the reshuffled ministers and clears the way for them to assume their new roles in government.