Don’t pay ‘thank you’ money – Chief Justice warns judges

The Chief Justice, Justice Sophia Akuffo, has cautioned judges and all staff of the Judicial Service to avoid any form of corruption in the discharge of their duties.

Speaking at the 39th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Association of Magistrates and Judges, Ghana (AMJG) in Accra last Wednesday, she said corruption was a canker that destroyed nations.

According to her, one form of corruption which had become common in Ghana was the practice of giving “thank you” money to public officials after they had performed their normal duties.

She warned the judges not to give any “thank you” money to any staff of the Judicial Service who performed any duty that enhanced the work of judges, such as facilitating the payment of allowances of judges.

“It is time for us to put a stop to it as judges, as it contributes to the culture of corruption in our institution. Judicial Service staff, be they directors, senior or junior staff, are paid by the state to undertake their official duties. Any 'thank you' must not go beyond the verbal, and that should be it,” she said.

The AGM was on the theme: “Judges, Our Health”, and was attended by judges and magistrates from across the country.

The Chief Justice was the special guest of honour. Also in attendance was a Deputy Attorney-General (A-G), Mr Godfred Yeboah Dame.

Well-being of judges

Speaking on the theme, the Chief Justice said the well-being of judges was crucial because they were the principal actors in the justice delivery system, adding: “Without a judge, there will be no court”.

She noted that due to the complex nature of today’s societies, criminal and civil cases were on the increase, a situation which had put a strain on the work of judges.

“It will be prudent that effective support systems are established among judges that will provide the environment for us to overcome these work-related pressures that undermine our health and well-being, and allow us to continue to thrive and perform optimally.

“As we know, the mere absence of sickness or disease is no indication of good health and hence, a holistic view of wellness is necessary if we are to achieve the ends of this objective,” she said.

Concerns

The President of the AMJG, Justice Senyo Dzamefe, who is a Justice of the Court of Appeal,  lamented the ordeal judges went through at foreign missions when applying for visas to travel, describing it as “embarrassing and disrespectful”.

“A respected Supreme Court Judge was forced to join the public queue outside in the rain to wait for his turn to enter the US Embassy for his visa interview.

“We are not saying judges should not be interviewed nor processed, but we are against joining the queue. We must be treated with some dignity. On our appointed days for interview, we should walk on straight without having to join the queue,” he said.

Justice Dzamefe said the association had taken the issue up with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration and was hoping for a fruitful response.

“We pray management assists us in sorting this very embarrassing and disrespectful situation out. I do not think our colleagues elsewhere will join a queue for visas,” he said.

Support

For his part, Mr Dame lauded the judiciary for its immense contribution to the development of the country.

He said the A-G’s Department would be at the forefront of efforts to promote the well-being of the Judiciary.