President John Dramani Mahama has sworn in three justices to the supreme court bench.
They are Justice Sophia Rosetta Oduokunwa Bernasco-Essa, Justice Edward Amoako Asante, and Mr. Anthony Fawcett Jr., widely known as Tony Fawcett.
Speaking at the swearing ceremony at the Jubilee House earlier today, President Mahama said at a time when legal questions increasingly cross-national boundaries, their understanding of both Ghanaian jurisprudence and regional legal frameworks will enrich the Supreme Court’s deliberations.
“The three Justices sworn in today bring complementary strength to our Supreme Court” he said.
He has urged the newly sworn in Justices to be diligent in service to the nation.
“To our new Justices, let the Constitution remain your compass. You will sometimes be called upon to decide matters that generate strong public emotions and competing political interests. In those moments, you must remain unmoved by the pressures, the praise, or the criticism. Do not allow yourselves to be defined by the individuals, governments, or institutions that appear before you” President Mahama cautioned.
He has since reiterated government’s committed to judicial independence adding that Judicial independence is not a privilege granted to judges for their personal benefit.
“As President, I remain fully committed to judicial independence. Judicial independence is not a privilege granted to judges for their personal benefit” he reaffirmed.
President Mahama cautioned that Justice delayed continues to impose immense pressure on the ordinary citizens while prolonged cases, avoidable adjournments, and delays
in delivering judgments weaken confidence in the judicial system and can amount to a denial of justice.
“Justice delayed continues to impose immense pressure on our ordinary citizens. Prolonged cases, avoidable adjournments, and delays in delivering judgments weaken confidence in the judicial system and can amount to a denial of justice” President Mahama stressed.
On her part, Justice Sophia Rosetta Bernasko Essah who spoke on behalf of her colleagues, pledged commitment of the bench to delivery, timely and unbiased judgments while reaffirming independence of the bench.
“We shall be independent enough to decide according to law. Courageous enough to do so when the decision is difficult and humble enough always to remember that judicial authority is exercised not for our own benefits but in service to the people in whose sovereignty lies and for whom justice is dispensed” he intimated.
Story by : Wisdom Hededzome
