President John Dramani Mahama has sworn in 21 Court of Appeal Justices, and urged them to deliver judgments that inspire confidence in the people and not those that aim at silencing criticism.
“So, to you, our new Justices, I say: let your judgments inspire confidence in our people. Let your judgments reassure Ghanaians that while we may debate outcomes, we can never doubt your integrity, your impartiality, and your fidelity to the national Constitution,” he said in Accra yesterday.
The colourful ceremony at the Jubilee House which saw the Judges robed in their predominantly red attires with wigs to match was attended by the Vice-President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang; the acting Chief Justice, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie; the Chief of staff, Julius Debrah; some Justices of the Supreme Court, and the Court of Appeal; Ministers of State, senior government officials; the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, family and friends of the celebrants.
The 21 new Justices include 20 Justices of the High Court and one private legal practitioner, who have satisfied all requirements.
The President administered the oath of allegiance, the Judicial oath and the oath of secrecy.
The 20 justices include Justice Justin Kofi Dorgu, Justice Daniel Mensah, who is also the Dormaahene, Justice George Boadi, Justice Ayitey Armah-Tetteh, Justice Emmanuel Senyo Amedahe and Justice Olivia Obeng Owusu.
Others are Justice Douglas Seidu, Justice Ali Baba Abature, Justice Mariama Samo, Justice Abena Oppong Adjin-Doku, Justice Mary Maame Akua Yanzu, Justice Jennifer Anne Myers Ahmed, Justice John Bosco Nabarese and Justice Kwasi Anokye Gyimah.
The rest are Justice Dr Richmond Osei Hwere, JusticeFrancis Apongabuno Achibonga, Justice Charity Akosua Asem, Justice Enyonam Adinyira, Justice Sheila Mintah, Justice Franklina Gesila Adanu, and Justice Charles Adjei Wilson.
Criticism
President Mahama said what judges must guard against was cynicism, which he described as “the corrosive belief that the courts no longer serve the people, but only the powerful.”
“Our courts must demonstrate in word and deed that justice is not compromised by status, wealth, or political convenience,” he said.
The President expressed pride in the batch of Appeal Court Justices because out of the 20, nine were women, saying that while the Affirmative Action Law prescribed 30 per cent female appointments, the nine put the number beyond the benchmark.
He described the Court of Appeal as “the people’s court” because for many citizens, it was often the last hope for justice when all other avenues had been exhausted.
“You hold in your hands the power to heal wounds, restore confidence, and guide our nation towards fairness,” he told the justices.
President Mahama said when citizens walked into the courts, they were not simply seeking judgments; they sought hope — “hope that the law will protect them, hope that their rights will be respected, and hope that their voices will be heard.”
Renewal of courts
President Mahama further said that justice was not separate from development, adding that the renewal of the courts was at the heart of the government’s 24-hour economic transformation policy, among others.
He said they must carry with them the virtues of courage, integrity and humility and not only be arbiters of law but also custodians of hope.
