Nominee to the Supreme Court, Justice Clemence Jackson Honyenuga, who apparently caused an uproar with his endorsement of President Nana Akufo-Addo earlier this year, has insisted he expressed the opinion of a group.
According to him, the speech he delivered that has received so much condemnation was not a personal opinion but the sentiment of the paramount chiefs in the South Afadjato District of the Volta Region where he is a traditional ruler.
He indicated that he was nominated by his peers to read the statement during President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s visit to the area.
He expressed regret over the matter if it offended some political groupings and offered an unqualified apology.
“I am sorry. Let’s forget about it,” he stated.
Justice Honyenuga rated President Akufo-Addo highly for the developmental policies for the country while addressing the durbar last February, with the President in attendance.
“With the vision of the President and the gains made in his first term, Ghanaians may consider giving him another four years,” Justice Honyenuga said at the durbar.
His comment generated a lot of discussions on social media with the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) criticising his conduct.
Many also contended his endorsement of the President earned him the nomination to the Supreme Court and not his competence.
However, when Justice Honyenuga appeared before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Monday 11th May 2020 for vetting, he offered an apology for his statements.
According to him, misrepresentations in the reportage by the media with respect to the venue of the durbar and the occasion served as bases for confusion.
The event, he said, was a durbar of chiefs and people held at the district capital and not at the Nyagbo Traditional Area as reported in the media.
He was nominated as custom demanded to read the speech of the Chiefs.
He argued that the chiefs were looking for developments for their respective traditional areas, which has been happening for years in the country.
“This was a group of paramount chiefs and it was a special occasion when the President had visited the district. I made the statement on their behalf.
“Our understanding was that we were wishing him well, and such things have been happening all the time and for years, since the colonial times.
“If some people out of political dissatisfaction of whatever I have read affect them, then I’m sorry. Just forget about it,” he stated.
