President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has swore into office, Justice George Kingsley Koomson and Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu as Justices of the Supreme Court.
President Akufo-Addo in July, 2022, nominated three Justices of the Appeal Court and a Justice of the High Court to fill up vacancies at the Supreme Court.
The nominees, Justices Barbara Frances Ackah-Yensu, Justice George Kingsley Koomson, Justice Samuel Adibu Asiedu and Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu were vetted by Parliament in October, 2022.
Parliament on December 11, 2022 approved two Justices- Justices Barbara Frances Ackah-Yensu and Samuel Adibu Asiedu both Court of Appeal Justices, out of the four (4) nominated by the President.
Justices Barbara Frances Ackah-Yensu and Justice Samuel Adibu Asiedu were then sworn in on the 28th December, 2022 after the Appointments Committee of Parliament recommended the two for approval — leaving Justice George Kingsley Koomson and Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu —raising eyebrows about the appointments of them.
The two hanging Justices — Justices George Kingsley Koomson and Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu were finally approved by Parliament on the 31st March, 2023.
At the Jubilee House on Tuesday, President Akufo-Addo led the two Justices to swear the Oath of Allegiance, Judicial Oath, and the Oath of Secrecy and subsequently issue to them their letters of appointment.
He said, the post 1966 Supreme Court, has develop a positive reputation for the quality of its constitutional jurisprudence.
That, the President urged the Justices, who have already had good experience from the high judicial office of the Court of Appeal, to help strengthen the development of the nation’s constitutional and other jurisprudence of the Supreme Court.
The country’s Constitution, President Akufo-Addo indicated, had degree that, the Judiciary has jurisdiction on all matters of the application of the law—civil and criminal—including matters relating to the interpretation and the enforcement of the constitution.
“The Judiciary also, has the onerous responsibilities, to protect the individual liberties and fundamental human rights of citizens, act as the arbiter in disputes between the state and the citizenry, to act as the arbiter in disputes between citizens and all persons, and to serve as the bulwark for the defence and promotion of the liberties and rights of the people.”
Central to the execution of this function, the President Akufo-Addo stated, is the Supreme Court.
Expressed in Article 129, the Supreme Court is not bound to follow the decisions of any other Court, including even its own. It shall have all the powers and authority and jurisdictions vested in any court established by the Constitution, or any other law.
President Akufo-Addo reminded the two Justices to be learned, know their case law, and ensure their decisions and judgements are properly motivated, adding, “it is in this manner that Judges will be able to contribute to the orderly development of the nation.’
The President congratulated the two Justices on their appointment as Justices of the Supreme Court.
“You’ve met the stringent requirements of Article 128 Clause 4 of the Constitution, and demonstrated the independence of spirit, proven integrity, high moral character and impartiality of mind to hold this high Office.”
“You are deemed to have the independence of spirit, proven integrity, high moral character, and impartiality of mind to hold this high office. Your appointments are, thus, truly well-deserved and merited, he stated.
“Your appointment to the highest court of the land is as truly well deserving and merited.”
On behalf of his colleague, George Kingsley Komson said they would undertake to pursue diligence and contribute to enrichment and development of Ghana’s jurisprudence and in the interest of Justice.
He assured the President, and Ghanaians in whose name and on who’s behalf judiciary is exercised, that, they shall continue to exercise professionalism and leave up to the trust repose in them.
Rex Mainoo Yeboah, ISD
