A legal storm is brewing as gender activist Henrietta Nana Yaa Simpson has filed a lawsuit at Ghana’s Supreme Court, challenging the appointment of COP (Rtd.) Nathan Kofi Boakye to the Ghana Police Council. Simpson argues that the appointment violates Article 201(f) of the 1992 Constitution, which reserves a seat on the Council for a representative nominated by the National Association of Retired Police Officers (NARPO). According to her, the rightful nominee—ACP (Rtd.) Florence Arthur, the first woman elected president of NARPO—was bypassed without explanation.
Simpson contends that the Presidency’s unilateral decision to appoint Mr. Boakye undermines the association’s autonomy and long-standing tradition, where the elected president automatically represents NARPO on the Council. She describes the move as a “naked usurpation” of the association’s rights and suggests that gender and rank bias may have influenced the decision to overlook ACP Arthur’s nomination.
The lawsuit, invoking the Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction, seeks multiple declarations: that the appointment is unconstitutional, null, and void; that only NARPO can nominate its representative; and that ACP Arthur should be installed in Mr. Boakye’s place. The suit also names the Police Council and the Attorney-General as co-defendants, emphasizing the need for constitutional compliance and institutional respect.
This case has sparked national debate on gender equity, constitutional governance, and the importance of due process in public appointments. As the legal proceedings unfold, it could set a precedent for how representative roles in state institutions are filled—and who gets to decide.
Source: https://www.myjoyonline.com/govt-sued-over-appointment-of-cop-kofi-boakye-to-police-council/
