The Parliamentary vetting of the nominee for the position of Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo could take up to over 10 hours, First Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the Appointments Committee, Joseph Osei-Owusu has hinted.
According to Mr Osei-Owusu, Justice Akuffo's vetting could last the whole day since each member of the Committee will be allowed 20 minutes to ask questions.
"We have changed the programme. We are allowing every member who wishes to ask a question 20 minutes to ask many questions as you can", he stated.
The Appointments Committee consists of 26 members but due to the critical nature of the CJ position, Mr Osei-Owusu, reveals the committee has decided to invite "the chairman and ranking member of the Constitutional and Legal Committee and Judiciary Committee to come and assist in this matter, so we will bring the expertise of those committees that are directly responsible for the Judiciary and legal justice to be part of the Appointments Committee".
This arrangement is unlike the regular ministerial vetting where the Committee has usually used an average of two hours to question nominees and have at times vetted over four nominees in a day.
Explaining the reason behind the in an interview on Joy FM, Mr Osei-Owusu said her vetting would be different because its an office with security of tenure,unlike minister who are only assistants to the president. The committee therefore has to ensure she is capable enough to win public confidence.
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