Former Trade and Industry Minister, Hon. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, Speaks Out on Supreme Court Ruling and Forest Mining.
In a recent interview on Adekyee Mu Nsem with Nana Dogbey, former Minister for Trade and Industry, Hon. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah expressed concerns over the Supreme Court’s recent ruling regarding Speaker Alban Bagbin and the status of four Members of Parliament who now sit as independent.In response to the ruling, Hon. Spio-Garbrah released a detailed article outlining his thoughts on judicial appointments and the broader implications for the nation.
According to Hon Spio-Garbrah, the current administration’s approach to appointing judges has raised questions about impartiality and political influence.
“The president has a list of about 30 individuals he can choose from when nominating Supreme Court judges.
This power to select who sits on the highest court means that the president has a strong influence on the judiciary,” Spio-Garbrah noted. “It’s concerning that many of these appointees are affiliated with the NPP.
Decisions taken by such judges will ultimately affect us all,” he added.
Hon Spio-Garbrah also linked these judicial appointments to broader governance issues, including environmental policies around mining.
He criticized President Akufo-Addo’s decision to permit mining activities in protected forest reserves.
“From the colonial era to Kwame Nkrumah’s leadership after independence, forest reserves were off-limits to all forms of mining and development.
Yet, under President Akufo-Addo, these previously protected areas have been opened for mining.
This not only threatens the environment but raises questions about the influence of party interests over national resources.
“Reflecting on his tenure as the Minister of Mines and Energy, Spio-Garbrah highlighted a stark contrast in licensing practices.
“During my time, fewer than a hundred mining licenses were issued to protect the integrity of our environment.
But under Akufo-Addo, there have been over 2,000 mining licenses granted, which has only fueled illegal mining, or ‘galamsey,’ threatening our lands and communities.
“Through these remarks, Hon Spio-Garbrah underscored his deep concerns over the intersection of politics, judicial appointments, and environmental governance, calling for an approach that prioritizes national welfare over party interests.
Story by: Mercy Addai Turkson
