President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has defended the appointment of additional judges to the country’s courts, citing the increasing workload on judges as the reason.

In contrast, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has advocated for capping the number of judges.

However, President Akufo-Addo has expressed his support for Chief Justice Her Ladyship Gertrude Torkornoo’s calls for more judges to be appointed.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of 16 new Appeals Court judges at the Jubilee House, the President emphasised that the establishment of more courts in the country necessitates the appointment of more judges.

“The significant expansion of the personnel of the Court of Appeal occasioned by the appointment of these 16 new justices of Appeal which is a direct response to the challenge of an overburdened court system.

“The Chief Justice has decided with the support of the judicial council to establish permanent panels of the Court of Appeals in five locations, Sekondi, Koforidua, Kumasi, Tamale and Accra,” the President said.