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Pres swears in Mensah-Bonsu, Kulendi as Supreme Court judges
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has sworn into office, Prof Henrietta Mensah-Bonsu, a professor of Law and Emmanuel Yonny Kulendi, a successful legal practitioner, as new justices of the Supreme Court.
At separate ceremonies at the Jubilee House in Accra yesterday, President Akufo-Addo urged the new justices to enhance the quality of the work of the Apex Court with their rich experience in the legal field.
Prof Mensah-Bonsu has enjoyed a successful career in the fields of academics, female activism, international relations, public service and religious engagements.
She is the Director of the Legon Centre for International Affairs and Diplomacy, Member of the Legal Committee for the Ghana National Commission on Children, Member of the Board of the Ghana Methodist Church, President of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, among other positions.
Justice Kulendi is a successful private legal practitioner who has earned considerable respect in the legal profession.
President Akufo-Addo described his appointment as a personal experience, indicating that Justice Kulendi had his pupilage at his chamber, Akufo-Addo, Prempeh and Co, and “cutting his teeth” in his early days at the bar.
President Akufo-Addo said the appointment of the two legal luminaries, which came on the heels of engagements with the Judicial Council, Council of State, and with the approval of Parliament, would help strengthen the development of the Court’s jurisprudence and case law.
He advised the Supreme Court not to follow decisions of any other court, including its own, and entreated justices of the court to possess sound knowledge of the law.
“Judges should not prefer judgments on the basis of decisions from lower courts and cite them as law,” he said and indicated that the situation where judges site no law at all should also be avoided.
“Justices must be learned, know their case law and ensure that their decisions and judgments are properly motivated,” he said.
President AKufo-Addo said the public expects that if anyone fell foul of the law, the person should be dealt with accordingly and appealed to judges to ensure that justice was done to all persons without any considerations.
Justice Prof Mensah Bonsu and Justice Kulendi thanked the President for nominating him to the Supreme Court and pledged to always devote their time and talents to serve the country to the best of their ability.
By Yaw Kyei
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Prof. Dodoo named ARSO President Emeritus
The African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) has unanimously conferred Professor Alex Dodoo with the honorary title of President Emeritus following resolutions by both its executive council and general assembly.
The decision, which was taken during the 31st General Assembly of ARSO in Zanzibar, Tanzania, last Friday, recognised Prof. Dodoo’s exceptional leadership in advancing continental standards for trade, safety and sustainable development.
The resolution ensured his continued advisory role in the strategic direction of ARSO while mentoring future standardisation leaders across Africa.
The Secretary-General of ARSO, Dr Hemogene Nsengimana, said the title of President Emeritus was reserved for leaders whose impact transcended their tenure, reflecting lifelong dedication to their field.
Excellence
As immediate past ARSO President and Director-General of the Ghana Standards Authority, Prof. Dodoo spearheaded the creation of critical structures within ARSO and influenced harmonisation initiatives supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Professor Dodoo, an expert in pharmaceuticals, public health, and standards regulation, has played a pivotal role in shaping the standardisation landscape of Africa.
Under his leadership, ARSO saw effective collaboration among member states culminating in the general assembly this year, and bringing together a record 34 countries, the highest in the history of the organisation.
The advocacy of Professor Dodoo for “One Standard, One Test, One Acceptance” across Africa has been instrumental in reducing technical barriers to trade and fostering economic integration.
In his new role, Professor Dodoo would continue to provide strategic guidance to ARSO, mentor emerging leaders in standardisation, and champion the voice of Africa in global standards bodies such as the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Professor Dodoo, in his acceptance remark, said, “This honour is not just a personal milestone but shows the collective efforts of all stakeholders working toward a standardised, competitive, and quality-driven Africa.”
He said, “Our journey is far from over, and I remain committed to the vision of an Africa where standards fuel prosperity.”
As President Emeritus, Professor Dodoo is expected to focus on critical areas such as strengthening Africa’s quality infrastructure, advocating for standards in emerging sectors such as renewable energy and digital economies and bridging the gap between academia, industry, and policymakers in standardisation.
Competence
The Executive Director of the Standards Division at the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), Dr Sadhvir Bissoon, said Prof. Dodoo had contributed towards the leadership of the ARSO Council in driving strategy, governance, “reviewing our laws and statutes and ensuring their implementation”.
“I hope he will still serve the needs and aspirations of ARSO in his new role,” he said in an interview with the Daily Graphic.
Private sector leaders who attended the event also lauded Professor Dodoo’s efforts to align African standards with global best practices.
The Regional Director of COTECNA, a key partner in the continental standards community, Antoine Anne, for his part, said the appointment of Professor Dodoo reaffirmed the commitment of the African continent to excellence.
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EC to conduct elections in selected polling stations at Ablekuma North
As part of its commitment to resolve the impass egarding he Ablekuma North Constituency Parliamentary Election, the Electoral Commission(EC) yesterday, Tuesday, July 1, 2025, met with the representatives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The meeting, which was a follow-up to an earlier meeting held on Thursday, June 12, 2025, provided both parties the opportunity to brief the commission on any new
developments regarding the said constituency.
The parties informed the Commission that their positions put forward at the last mecting remained unchanged.
The NDC held the view that the election should be rerun thirty -seven
(37) Polling Stations because scanned Pink Sheets from 37 Polling Stations which were used to
collate the results, were provided the NPP.
The NPP was of the view that the results from three (3) outstanding Poling Stations be collated and a winner declared since the NDC Agents had verified and confirmed
the scanned Poling Station results they presented.
According to the EC, it is important for the public to understand that the issue in contention has to do with
the fact that 37 Pink Sheets provided by the NPP and used to colate the results were scanned copies.
“The Public may recall that Political Party supporters besieged our Collation Centre and
destroyed a number of the Pink Sheets for the Ablekuma North Parliamentary Elcction during the collation of results following the December 7 Gencral Election,” the EC added.
After extensive deliberations, the Commission informed the Political Parties that it would
proceed to rerun the election in 19
of the 37 Polling Stations.
The Commission arrived at the decision to rerun the election in the underlisted Polling Stations because, the scanned Polling Station resuits used for the collation, though approved by Agents of both political Parties, were not verified by the Presiding Officers responsible for the Polling
Stations.
According to the EC, it is instructive to note that the Commission was able to secure the Presiding Officers
verification and confirmation for 18 scanned Polling Station results-
Agents of both parties also approved same.
The election will be held on Friday, July 11, 2025
The Commission has further urged the Ghana Police Service to provide the needed security to ensure a safe environment for the conduct of the election.
