The Ghana Bar Association has said that the Chief Justice and the Judicial Council must not fail to punish judges who persistently make mistakes in the course of discharging their duties.
According to Tony Forson, a Vice Chairman of the Association, the Bar expects no less, particularly when the constitutional security of tenure as enshrined in article 146 of the 1992 constitution comes with limitations.
He said it was the expectation of the nation that judges while on the bench would live their lives in accordance with the oath of the profession.
Mr. Forson who was speaking at the swearing in of 13 new high court judges noted that the Bar “shall not hesitate to expose and prosecute any errant judge in collaboration with the Judicial Service in accordance with the Bar Association’s Constitution which mandates the Bar to ensure and protect the integrity of the judicial process.”
The GBA Vice Chairman however assured that the Bar will fully defend judges who operate in accordance with the tenets of the judicial oath adding that “together we can work to better our country for ourselves and posterity”
Justice Elizabeth Ankumah, Vice President of the Association of Magistrates and Judges Ghana (AMJG) said the judges ought to be men and women of integrity, accepting restrictions on their conduct and not bend the prestige of the judicial office to advance private interests.
She said the judges were accountable to God and the people who would judge their performance, attitude to work and personal integrity.
Dr. Dominic Ayine the Deputy Attorney General argued that internalizing the tenets of the oath was an important aspect of the processes of adherence to what it dictates.
Ms. Sophia Akuffo, a Justice of the Supreme Court in a key note address urged the judges to display highest level of professionalism in their exercise of their duties.
The new judges were Justices Jennifer Anne Myers Ahmed; Kofi Nyanteh Akuffo; Emmanuel Senyo Amedahe; Samuel Asare-Nyarko; Emmanuel Lodoh; Sedina Agbemava and Rita Agyenmang-Budu.
Others were Justices Ellen Vivian Amoah; Cecilia Naa Shormeh Davis; Charles Edward Ekow Baiden; Kwasi Anokye Gyimah; Dr. Richmond Osei Hwere and Francis A. Achibonga.
By Jeffrey De-Graft Johnson
jeffdegraft44@yahoo.com