The President Nana Akufo-Addo has sworn into office, Five Appeals Court Judges admonishing them to fairly dispense justice to all manner of persons.
The President described the five judges including, His Lordship Justice Nicholas Charles Abbey Agbevor, His Lordship Justice Bernice Poku-Acheampong, Justice Anthony Kwadwo Yeboah, Her Ladyship Merley Afua Wood and Mrs. Amma Abuakwaa Gaise (Former Solicitor General) and all judges as repositories of justice delivery, and hence it is incumbent on them to be reasonable in the discharge of their duties without fear or favour.
He said the five justices are fit and qualified for the position and indicated that the appointment of the judges is in fulfillment of Article 144 Clause 3 of the Constitution.
He charged them to work to protect the individual liberty, and serve as the arbiter between the state and citizens, and serve as the board for the promotion of the rights and liberties of the citizens.
According to him, it is important to have judges that are honest, integrity and are of sound knowledge of the law, and indicated that people who fall foul of the law are dealt with accordingly.
Nana Akufo-Addo also indicated that the country cannot continue to accept corruption in the judiciary where officers of the court are found in compromising positions.
“Your actions in the strict application of the laws of the land will do great things in restoring the image of the judiciary,” he said and averred that the office of the Special Prosecutor (SP) was established to ensure accountability of public officials who engage in corruption and financial malfeasance and that the duty lies on the Judges to help facilitate the work of the SP.
He said: “My government is determine to build a new Ghanaian civilization 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 in honesty and integrity, where the liberties of our people are fully protected, and where law and order provide a firm basis for our social economic development so that the dreams of freedom and prosperity can find expression in our generation.”
According to the President, as justices of the Courts they are required to be sober and delivery of justice and further asked them to be weary of individuals who might seek to manipulate or corrupt the judiciary for their parochial gains.
According to the President, the growth of the country requires a Judiciary that commands the respect of the people by the nature of its delivery of justice, as well as by the comportment of its judges, hence it becomes very important to have judges who are honest, possess integrity and a sound knowledge of the law.
He advised that the situation, where judges proffer judgments on the basis of decisions from lower courts and cite them as law, is no more acceptable and that the caliber of judges in the law Courts should promotes the even-handed, predictable, and consistent development of legal principles, fosters reliance on judicial decisions, and contributes to the actual and perceived integrity of the judicial process.
He urged the religious bodies, traditional authorities, civil society organizations to work in unison towards the attainment of freedom and justice of all citizens.
He advised the new judges to work excellently in the discharge of their judicial duties.
