President Akufo-Addo with the Judges
President Akufo-Addo, yesterday, swore into office seven new High Court judges.
They include Justices John Ekow Mensah, Janet Anim Maafo, Afia Nyarko Adu-Amankwa, Fredrick Tetteh, Mathew Kyeremanteng, Joan Eyi King and John Eugene Nyante Nyadu.
At a short swearing-in ceremony at the Jubilee House, President Akufo-Addo stressed the need for all High Court judges to command the respect of the people with their conduct and quality of rulings.
He reiterated that it was important that High Court judges demonstrate honesty, integrity and sound knowledge of the law.
He expressed concern about the situation where some High Court judges use lower court rulings as the basis for judgement or cite no law or authority at all in giving orders.
He, therefore, charged the new judges: “Know your case law and ensure that your decisions and judgements are properly motivated.”
The President expressed concern also about perceived acts of corruption in the delivery of justice, especially, at the high court, saying, that must not be allowed to continue.
He warned that any judge found to have misconducted himself would face the full rigours of the law.
“Let me use this occasion to repeat that application of the laws of the land must occur in the hallowed walls of the Judicial Oath without fear or favour, affection or ill will; that is without recourse to the political, religious, ethnic affiliation or any person or object of justice…when a citizens falls foul of the law, any citizen, high or low, that citizen must be dealt with accordingly.
“The law enforcement agencies, including you, our new judges, must ensure that this is done…that is the true meaning of the concept of equality before the law,” he stressed.
The President said every Ghanaian from all sections of the country’s governing process, had the responsibility to work together for a united Ghana driven by considerations of social justice and solidarity, and the rule of law.
“We must, in our time, build a new Ghanaian civilisation, where the rule of law is not a slogan but the operating principle for the development of our state, where the separation of powers is real and meaningful, where public officials behave with honesty and integrity, where the liberties and rights of our people are fully protected,” he emphasised.
On his part, Justice John Ekow Mensah thanked the President for the honour done them and pledged to work harder in the new position to justify the confidence reposed in them.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent