President Nana Akufo-Addo has sworn in 21 new High Court judges.
They include Justices Abigail Animah Asare, Dorinda Smith-Arthur, Veronique Praba Tetteh, Charles Kwasi Acheampong, Arit Nsemoh, Abdul-Razak Musah, Samuel Djanie Kotey, Stephen Kumi, Abass Abubakari Adams, Felix Datsomor, and Agnes Opoku-Barnieh.
The rest are Afia Owusuaa Appiah, Ellen Ofori-Ayeh, Winnie Amoatey-Owusu, Enid Marful-Sau, Kizita Naa Koowa Quarshie, Ernest Pascal Gemadzie, Nathan Parker Yarney, Oliver Abada, Frimpong Amoako and Akosua Dansoa Asiama Christopher.
At a ceremony at the Jubilee House on Monday evening, he charged them to discharge justice swiftly but with a call for impartiality.
This was after administering the oaths of office, allegiance, and secrecy.
By assuming the high office of justices of the High Court, the President said the Ghanaian people have entrusted their wellbeing to them, for which reason they cannot fail the people.
“The High Court is stipulated in Article 140 of the Constitution as a superior court of record with jurisdiction in all matters, particularly in civil and criminal matters, its significance is undeniable. It is at the High Court that most of the work of the judiciary begins and often ends.
“It is here that the most critical decisions that affect the lives of ordinary Ghanaians are made. The authority and respect commanded by this court are essential for the proper functioning of our country. To our newly appointed justices, I say this, your task is not merely interpreting the law, it is also about ensuring that justice is served impartially and with integrity,” he said.
Apart from that, President Akufo-Addo said, “The Ghanaian people are looking up to you to demonstrate honesty, sound judgment, and a strong attachment to the rule of law.”
That, he said, was because “a corrupt or incompetent judge does more than fail in his or her duty” and that “he or she poses a significant danger to the administration of justice and the public interest.”
Undue Delays
President Akufo-Addo also had cause to express dissatisfaction about the seeming delays in the Ghanaian justice system, which affects investor confidence.
Meanwhile, he indicated that various statutes have been passed that are designed to empower judges to take control of their courts and to ensure speedy adjudication of cases that come before their courts. The President, therefore, urged the judges to prevent all undue delays in their courts.
“We have come a long way in the judicial process where delays were seen as inevitable. In the past, judges allowed parties to dictate the pace of cases, leading to significant delays. But today, through case management provisions in CI (Constitutional Instrument) 47 of 2004, and subsequent reforms in CI 84 of 2014, judges have been provided with the tools to take control of the courtroom and manage cases efficiently,” he noted.
“This is essential not only for the delivery of justice but also for Ghana’s image as an attractive destination for investment. Lengthy litigation processes undermine the confidence of investors and citizens alike. As such, I urge you to be vigilant against undue delays and ensure that justice is delivered swiftly and effectively,” President Akufo-Addo added.
Assurance
On their part, the justices assured the President and all Ghanaians that they would abide by the dictates of the oaths they have taken in the discharge of their judicial offices.
Justice Anima Asare, who spoke on behalf of her colleague judges, said that they will treat all manner of persons who come before them equally by the laws of the country.
She also expressed the appreciation of all the judges to the President for the confidence he has reposed in them.
Out of the twenty-one newly appointed justices of the High Court, sixteen were promoted from their previous positions as Circuit Court judges, and five of them are joining the bench from private practice.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent