Advisor on Gender and Social Protection to former Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Akosua Manu, has raised concerns about the nomination and parliamentary vetting of Supreme Court nominee, Anthony Forson Jnr.
According to Akosua Manu, the process should have provided Justice Forson with an opportunity to directly address and clarify an allegation of rape reportedly made against him by Kukua Andam.
Speaking on The Big Issue on Channel One TV on Saturday, August 29, Akosua Manu argued that the allegation was significant enough to warrant discussion during the vetting process, particularly because of the senior judicial position Justice Forson is being considered for.
She said the accuser, Kukua Andam, should have been invited to participate in the process so that the matter could be properly examined and Justice Forson given an opportunity to respond to the allegation.
“Justice Forson has an allegation of rape against him by one Kukua Andam. She is a lawyer who questioned his integrity. Kukua Andam should have been brought into the vetting.
“He [Justice Forson] is going for a vetting and one of the allegations against him is rape and it was important for him to clear the air on that issue especially because of the position he is going to occupy. Otherwise, we downplay issues affecting women. It even signals negatively to victims of sexual misconduct. It would have been good for him to clear the air on what went on between him and the accuser.”
She maintained that allegations of sexual misconduct, regardless of the person involved or the office they are being considered for, should be treated with seriousness, particularly when the individual is being considered for a position that requires a high degree of public confidence and integrity.
Justice Forson was among three Supreme Court nominees who appeared before Parliament’s Appointments Committee for vetting on Thursday, August 27.
Source | Citinewsroom
