Ten new Justices of the High Court were sworn in by President Akufo-Addo on Monday, and he gave them the mandate to administer justice without regard for personal gain, favouritism, or malice.
Elevated from the Circuit Courts were Justices Ebenezer Osei-Darko, Bernard Bentil, Alexander Graham, and Mercy Adei Kotei.
The remaining individuals are all private practise attorneys who join the bench: Mr. George Kwame Gyan-Kontoh, Mr. Richard Apietu, Mr. Eric Ansah Ankomah, Mrs. Cynthia Martinson, Dr. Mrs. Bridget Kafui Antonio-Apedzi, and Ms. Nabeela Naeema Wahab.
President Akufo-Addo congratulated them on their well-deserved appointment at a brief ceremony at the Jubilee House in Accra. He also emphasised the importance of their upholding honesty, integrity, and a thorough understanding of the law in order to win the public's trust.
As judges of the Superior Court of Judicature, he advised them to avoid any temptations to engage in corrupt behaviour since "a corrupt or inept judge is a menace to the public interest and judicial administration."
The President emphasised to the judges that the high court was where most judicial activity started and ended in the nation and that it was also the focal point for the administration of justice.
Therefore, he said, "it is crucial for the development of the country that the High Court commands the people's respect through the quality of its decisions as well as the conduct of its judges."
Judges were cautioned by President Akufo-Addo to refrain from basing their rulings on those of inferior courts and to instead use the time-honored common law tradition of precedent as the basis for the consistent evolution of the law.
"You must be knowledgeable, familiar with the law, and make sure your judgments and conclusions are appropriately motivated," he stated.
The President reaffirmed that the administration of justice demanded that the application of the laws of the nation occur without regard for political, racial, or religious ties, and without regard for favouritism, love, or malice.
"The law enforcement authorities, including you, our new judges, must guarantee that this is done when a person violates the law. That individual, high or low, must be dealt with properly. That is what the phrase "equality before the law" really means.
The judges were urged by President Akufo-Addo to use technology to speed up the handling of matters that were brought before them and in the administration of the Courts.
He stressed that delivering justice in a transparent and effective manner inspires trust in the public, private sector, and investment community.
The President explained to the judges that the government had seen that there weren't enough courts in some areas of the nation, which forced people to travel far distances to access courts. To that purpose, before the start of the new legal year in October, 60 district courts, 60 judge bungalows, and three new high courts would be commissioned for three of the six newly constituted districts.
Additionally, the government is building 100 new courts and judge bungalows in all 16 regions of the nation under the District Assembly Common Fund Administrator.
Speaking on behalf of her fellow judges, Justice Mercy Adei Kotei thanked the President for his trust in them and promised that they would do all in their power to earn their promotion.
We pledge to uphold our promises and carry out our obligations with attention, she said.
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