Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Wood
Outgoing Chief Justice (CJ) Georgina Theodora Wood yesterday revealed that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration pressurized her to resign.
Justice Wood, who will join the Council of State as a former Chief Justice, indicated that she nearly resigned during the presidency of the late Prof. John Evans Atta Mills.
That, she said, was due to pressure put on her by some elements of the NDC government for her to resign.
Justice Georgina Theodora Wood made the revelation during a thanksgiving service held at the Ringway Assemblies of God Church in Accra to mark her 70th birthday.
“…Can you imagine, a full vessel, an array of the men and women, who matter at the time with the press in full array asking you to resign?” Justice Wood, who was appointed by President John Agyekum Kufuor in 2007 following the demise of Justice George Kingsley Acquah, wondered.
The CJ, who retired yesterday, told members of the church that it took prayers and support by some members of her family and friends such as Justice Jones Dotse, a Supreme Court judge, to make her stay on.
“Each single one of you added value to my life. You’re the people, who gave me hope and helped us to succeed… that is why I don’t forget Justice Dotse,” she said.
She explained that Justice Dotse “has received some of the beatings through no fault of his, except he was helping to do God’s work.”
According to her, “It will be difficult on my part that as soon as I exit I forget; I will not. I pray that all the good plans he (Dotse) has, God would help him to realise.”
Justice Wood was full of praise to her husband and other relatives, who prayed with her often for God’s protection and guidance over every hurdle in her way as the CJ.
She enjoined people in “critical leadership positions” never to forget God in their dealings since that helps them to remain truthful and become effective.
“It has not been by our own strength and wisdom. Those in critical leadership positions and even those down the ladder must thank the Lord and pray desperately. I know that among you are several other people, who continually prayed for us.
“The time you need the Lord more is when you are elevated so that he will guide and shepherd and see you through,” Mrs. Wood, who has so far been Ghana’s longest serving Chief Justice, said to a loud applause.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Wood has packed out of office.
Sources at the Judicial Service stated that the retired CJ did not come to office yesterday, June 8.
Council Of State
Justice Georgina Wood has been appointed by President Nana Akufo-Addo as a member of the Council of State following her retirement, and Members of Parliament (MPs) unanimously endorsed her appointment at yesterday’s sitting.
MPs from both sides of the political divide used the occasion to eulogise her for her immense contribution to the delivery of justice in the country and her sterling stewardship as a Chief Justice of Ghana.
She would be replaced by another woman, Justice Sophia Akuffo, who would be vetted by Parliament on Monday, June 19.
Leading the tribute in honour of the outgoing CJ’s positive contribution to national development and on her retirement, the majority leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, said the outgoing Chief Justice, by dint of hard work and true professionalism, was recognized both nationally and internationally.
According to the majority leader, the outgoing Chief Justice was given the ‘Order of the Star’ – the highest national award – in 2007 for her meritorious public service and another award by the Law Faculty of the University of Ghana for her outstanding judicial career.
“On the international level, she served on the Judges and Magistrates Vetting Board of Kenya, having been appointed in August, 2011 by the then Kenyan President, Mwai Kibaki, and the then Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, with full approval of Kenyan Parliament. She was exalted as one of the three distinguished non-Kenyans Superior Court Judges in the Commonwealth,” the majority leader noted.
He observed that Justice Theodora Wood vigorously promoted the Alternative Dispute Resolution and ‘Justice for All Programme,’ which culminated in the decongestion of the prisons and individuals, who are on remand, whose cases had not been heard and are made to be investigated and appropriate remedies applied.
“Mr Speaker, Mrs Georgina Theodora Wood’s enviable success in Ghana’s judicial reform over the past 10 years cannot be overemphasized. As the first female Chief Justice of Ghana, she ensured that judicial independence was underpinned by core values of integrity, transparency and impartiality,” the majority leader said.
On his part, the minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu, said the outgoing Chief Justice was a true example of integrity and distinction, adding that under her tenure, existing court buildings were refurbished and a court complex was also built while bungalows were built to house judges.
“I think for the nation to recognize her contribution to national development, a monument must be erected at Osu in Accra where she comes from, so that it will inspire the youth in the area, especially girls, to aspire to that level,” the minority leader said.
According to the minority leader, Justice Wood’s appointment to the Council State is apt because of her experience and her background as Chief Justice, as the president can get a lot of good legal advice from her.
By Melvin Tarlue &Thomas Fosu Jnr