A Ghanaian gender activist, Henritta Nana Yaa Simpson, has filed a writ at the Supreme Court seeking the immediate removal of COP (Rtd.) Nathan Kofi Boakye from the Police Council.
She is challenging his appointment as unconstitutional, discriminatory, and a breach of long-standing conventions guiding the nomination of representatives of retired police officers to the Council.
In her petition invoking the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, Simpson contends that the President of the Republic, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, unlawfully appointed COP (Rtd.) Boakye as the representative of the Retired Senior Police Officers Association to the Police Council without consulting the leadership of the Association.
According to her, this contravenes Article 201 of the 1992 Constitution, as amended, and section 10 of the Police Service Act, 1970 (Act 350), which govern the composition of the Council.
She argues that the Association had duly elected ACP (Rtd.) Ms. Florence Arthur as its President on November 29, 2024, after a spirited nationwide campaign. In line with historical precedent, she was nominated by the Association’s outgoing president, COP (Rtd.) Joseph Boakye Appiah, to represent the group on the Police Council—a role traditionally reserved for the sitting president of the Association.
Despite this, COP (Rtd.) Nathan Kofi Boakye was sworn into the Council on June 10, 2025, in what the Plaintiff describes as a “naked and indecent usurpation” of the Association’s constitutional right to select its own representative. The suit further alleges that the appointment was orchestrated by the Presidency without proper legal authority, thereby rendering it null and void.
“The inclusion of the name of the 1st Defendant onto the Police Council without the sanction of the leadership of the Association is unconstitutional, unlawful and should be declared of no legal effect,” Simpson said in her statement of case.
She is also seeking the Court’s interpretation of the phrase “Retired Senior Police Officers,” asking that it be legally recognized to include officers who retired with a rank not below Assistant Superintendent of Police. This, she contends, would affirm ACP (Rtd.) Florence Arthur’s eligibility to serve on the Council.
In addition to challenging the appointment process, the suit raises serious concerns of gender and rank discrimination. The Plaintiff recounts that ACP Arthur was told by senior figures that she could not be accepted onto the Council because she was a woman and of “insufficient rank.” This, the writ argues, flies in the face of Article 17 of the Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law and prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender or rank.
Reliefs sought
Simpson is therefore seeking a number of reliefs, including: One, Interpretation of “Retired Senior Police Officers”. A declaration that, based on Article 201 (f) and (g) of the Constitution as amended by Act 527 and relevant sections of the Police Service Act, 1970 (Act 350), particularly sections 10 and 39, the phrase “Retired Senior Police Officers” includes all officers who, at the time of retirement, held ranks not below Assistant Superintendent of Police.
Two, “Recognition of ACP (Rtd.) Florence Arthur.” A declaration that ACP (Rtd.) Madam Florence Arthur qualifies as a “Retired Senior Police Officer” and is therefore eligible to represent her Association on the Police Council.
Three, “Nomination Power of the Association.” A declaration that only the legitimately elected executive members of the National Association of Retired Police Officers, led by its President, have the exclusive right and authority to nominate a senior retired officer to the Police Council.
Four, “Liimitations on the President’s Powers”. A declaration that the President of the Republic has no authority under clause (f) of Article 201 to make nominations to the Police Council; his powers under clauses (a), (g), and (h) are distinct and limited.
Five, “Invalidation of Kofi Boakye’s Appointment”. A declaration that the appointment of COP (Rtd.) Nathan Kofi Boakye onto the Police Council by the President violates Article 201 and is therefore null, void, and of no legal effect.
Six, “President’s Rejection of Association’s Nominee is Unconstitutional.” A declaration that the President’s refusal to accept the nominee (ACP Florence Arthur) of the Retired Police Officers Association breaches Article 201 and Article 296 (on the improper exercise of discretionary power), making his conduct unconstitutional, null, and void.
Seven, “Claim of Gender and Rank Discrimination.” A declaration that the prescriptive removal or exclusion of ACP (Rtd.) Florence Arthur from the Council due to her gender and rank is discriminatory and in violation of Article 17 of the Constitution.
Eight, “Order for Removal and Replacement.” An order for the immediate removal of COP (Rtd.) Nathan Kofi Boakye from the Police Council and in his stead, the appointment of ACP (Rtd.) Florence Arthur as the rightful representative.
Nine, “Any Further Relief”. A request for any other reliefs or orders the Honourable Supreme Court may deem just, convenient, and proper.
Background
President John Dramani Mahama, on Tuesday (10 June) sworn in an 11-member Police Council to oversee the affairs of the Ghana Police Service.
Attached is the full detail of the suit
Henritta Nana Yaa Simpson v. Nathan Kofi Boakye & 2 Ors.
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