President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has inducted into office, 21 Justices of the High Court at the Jubilee House on Tuesday.
The Justices are Kwame Polley, William Abpiah Twumasi, Baah Forson Agyapong, Marian Affoh, Nana Brew, Abena Anponsah Buansi, Ellen Lordina Serwaa Mireku, Priscilla Dapaah Mireku, Alexander Oworae,Joyce Boahen, Edward Twum and Gwendolyn Millicent Owusu.
The rest are Justices Rosemary Baah Tosu, Frederick Kwabena Twumasi, Adelaide Abui Keddey, Harry Aheampong- Opoku, Kenneth Edem Kudjordjie, John-Mark Nuku Alifo, Kwesi Adjenim-Boateng, George Aikins Ampiah- Bonney and Marie-Louise Simmons.
“I congratulate each one of you on your well-deserved appointment,” the President told the newly sworn-in Justices.
Comprised of 12 men and nine women, this is the sixth time President Akufo-Addo has has the opportunity to swear into office justices of the High Court since he became President of the Republic in 2017.
Addressing the Justices after they had been sworn in, President Akufo-Addo said the High Court is the focal point for Justice delivery in the country in the Judicial structure where judicial work begins and ends.
It is, therefore, critical, the President indicated that for the growth of the nation, that the High Court commands the respect of the people by the quality of its decisions as well as by the comportment of its Judges.
President Akufo-Addo said “it is essential to show that you are honest, possess integrity and a sound knowledge of the law. A corrupt or incompetent Judge is a danger to the public interest and judicial administration.”
He said in situations, where judges proffer judgments based on decisions from lower courts and cite them as law, is not acceptable and even less so, when judges cite no authority at all for their rulings and give orders without reasons.
“You must be learned, know your case law and ensure your decisions and judgments are properly motivated. The principle of stare decisis, the doctrine of precedent has been and continues to be the bedrock for the evolution and the coherence of the common law and should not be likely discarded.”
The President repeated to the Judges that the dispensation of justice, which requires the application of the laws of the land, must occur in the “hallowed words of the Judicial oath you have taken without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.”
That, he said, is without recourse to the political, religious or ethnic affiliations of any person before them.
When a person falls foul of the law, that person high or low, according to the President, must be dealt with accordingly, the law enforcement agencies including the Judges must ensure this is done.
“That is the true meaning of the concept of equality before the law,” the President stated.
To assist them on this path, President Akufo-Addo said the government over the last few years has introduced several policy measures to help bridge the technological gap in the administration of justice.
Various infrastructure projects— new Court buildings at the newly created six regions, residential accommodations and others were at various stages of completion with the resident accommodation for Justices of the Court of Appeal in Kumasi completed and commissioned.
On behalf of his Judges, Justice Kwame Polley expressed their profound gratitude for the confidence reposed in them and resolved to discharge their mandate and duties as provided by the country’s Constitution.
Rex Mainoo Yeboah, ISD
