A year ago
On Wednesday, two newly nominated Supreme Court judges were sworn into office by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. The two were given the responsibility of strengthening the growth of the country's constitutional and other jurisprudence in the top court.
Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu Asiedu and Justice Barbara Frances Ackah-Ayensu are the two judges who were both elevated from the Appeals Court. They replaced Justice Yaw Appau, who resigned on August 2, 2021, and the late Justice Samuel Kofi Marful-Sau, who passed away on August 10, 2021.
The Judicial Council, in conjunction with the Council of State and with Parliament's assent, undertook a thorough nomination and confirmation procedure for the two.
President Akufo-Addo congratulated the justices on their "well-deserved and merited" appointments at a brief ceremony at the Jubilee House in Accra.
He stated that they had proven to be independent of spirit, of proven integrity, of high moral character, and of unbiased mind to occupy the high position, and that they had satisfied the strict standards of Article 128 clause 4 of the Constitution.
The President expressed hope that the judges, "who have already given good accounts of yourselves at the Court of Appeal will help strengthen the development of our nation's constitutional and other jurisprudence in the Supreme Court," noting that the post-1966 Supreme Court had gained a positive reputation for the quality of its constitutional jurisprudence.
He emphasised to the judges the need of upholding the precise execution of the law without regard to anyone's political, religious, or ethnic ties and without showing any favouritism or animosity.
While someone breaks the law, they must make sure that the judiciary and other law enforcement organisations follow the law when dealing with that person.
The Supreme Court is essential to carrying out all of these duties. It is plainly crucial that Justices of the Supreme Court have a solid understanding of the law, precedent, and the concept of stare decisis because all other courts are required to abide by the rulings of the Supreme Court on matters of law.
"Article 129 positions the Supreme Court as the policy court where the significant judgements on our socioeconomic development are fashioned in response to the exigencies of the time," he said. "The perspective of its judges is thus critical for our national development, especially in these difficult times."
The President declared it unacceptable for judges to issue rulings based on decisions from subordinate courts and use them as precedent.
"Justices, particularly Justices of the Supreme Court, must be knowledgeable, familiar with case law, and careful to ensure that the reasons for their rulings and judgements are sound. Judges contribute to the nation's orderly growth in this way, he claimed.
The two judges were reminded by President Akufo-Addo that the development of the country required a judiciary that earned the public's respect via both the administration of justice and judges' conduct.
He had faith that the justices would preserve the idea of legal equality and stand out in the work of the court.
The President stated that in order to realise the Ghana project, all Ghanaians, with their various viewpoints and perspectives, must collaborate.
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