President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has sworn in 21 new high court judges into office.
They are made up of 12 men and nine women.
Speaking at the ceremony at the Jubilee House in Accra, the President implored the Justices to be transparent and efficient in the delivery of justice in order to build confidence within the society.
The president explained that a corrupt and incompetent judge is a danger to the public interest and Judicial administration.
The President therefore urged them to be honest, show integrity, and above all be knowledgeable of the law.
He asked the justices to know their cases and ensure that their judgments are based on law.
The new Justices are: Kwame Polley, William Appiah Twumasi, Baah Forson Agyapong, Marian Affoh, Nana Brew, and Abena Anponsah Buansi.
The rest are Justices Ellen Lordina Serwaa Mirehu, Priscilla Dapaah Mireku, Alexander Oworae, Joyce Boahen, Edward Twum and Gwendolyn Millicent Owusu. The others are Justices Rosemary Baah Tosu, Frederick Kwabena Twumasi, Adelaide Abui Keddey, Harry Acheampong-Opoku, Kenneth Edem Kudjordjie, John-Mark Nuku Alifo, Kwesi Adjenim-Boateng, George Aikins Ampiah-Bonney and Marie-Louise Simmons.
The President led the new justices to take three oaths, after which they signed the oath book.
He believes that the 21 justices have partiality of mind and independence of spirit and are thus fit for the position, advising them to bear in mind that the growth of the nation demands there is a judiciary that commands respect of the people by the quality of its delivery of justice as well as by its comportment of its judges.
The President cautioned them that the situation where judges proffer judgment on the basis of decisions from lower courts and cite them as law is not acceptable, and even less so when judges cite no authority at all for their rulings and give orders without reasons. President Akufo-Addo therefore asked the justices to be learned, know their cases, and ensure that their judgments are based on law.
Responding to the President’s charges to the new judges, Justice Kwame Polley, expresed profound gratitude to the President for the opportunity given them to serve.
The President later presented the instrument of appointment to the 21 new justices of the High Court.
By Vincent Kubi