Fifty-two (52) newly appointed Circuit Court Judges have been sworn into office by the Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, at a ceremony held on Thursday, January 22, 2026 at the Main Auditorium of the Law Court Complex in Accra.
The judges comprise forty (40) Magistrates promoted from the Magistracy and twelve (12) lawyers drawn from private legal practice and other areas of legal service. All 52 judges were present to take the oath of office.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Justice cautioned the judges that their appointment was not merely a personal achievement, but a public trust reposed in them by the people of Ghana through the Constitution.
“Wear the robe with humility. Uphold the law with courage. Serve the people of Ghana with honour,” he charged.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie underscored the critical role of the Circuit Court within Ghana’s judicial architecture, describing it as often the first significant point of contact for many citizens seeking justice.
He noted that Circuit Courts handle serious criminal matters and complex civil disputes that directly affect lives, livelihoods and social stability.
“The decisions you make will shape lives, families, businesses and communities. You must therefore approach your work with humility, diligence and an unwavering sense of responsibility,” he said.
The Chief Justice emphasised that the oath taken by the judges was a solemn covenant with the Constitution, the Judicial Service and the Ghanaian people, and urged them to dispense justice fairly, courageously and without fear or favour.
He outlined integrity, competence and independence as the three enduring pillars that must guide their judicial work.
Judges, he said, must be beyond reproach in both public conduct and private lives, continuously update their legal knowledge, and remain firm in the face of pressure from litigants, lawyers, public opinion or persons in authority.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie also pointed out the growing importance of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in justice delivery, urging the judges to fully embrace digital systems such as case tracking, electronic recording of proceedings and digital cause lists to enhance efficiency, transparency and access to justice.
“Justice delayed is justice denied,” he reminded them, stressing the need for judicial efficiency, punctuality and effective case management without compromising the quality of decisions.
Welcoming the judges from private legal practice, the Chief Justice urged them to adapt quickly to their new role as impartial arbiters, noting that judicial authority is exercised through restraint, fairness and fidelity to the law, not advocacy.
To the promoted Magistrates, he described their elevation as recognition of years of dedicated service, often under challenging conditions, but cautioned that higher office comes with greater responsibility and narrower margins for error.
Also speaking at the ceremony, the President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), Efua Ghartey, admonished the judges to perform their duties with dignity, noting that the judicial role dates back to medieval times and is also rooted in biblical principles.
She said the Bar would continue to respect and strengthen its relationship with the Judiciary to achieve the justice the people desire.
The GBA President expressed the hope that the sanctity, peace, fairness and independence of the courts would be preserved and protected from interference from all quarters.
“The Bar has long wanted you in place, sitting in your posts today, and we are glad that it has happened,” she said.
The ceremony was attended by Justices of the Supreme Court and Superior Courts of Judicature, the Judicial Secretary, the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, leadership of the Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana, members of the Ghana Bar Association, judicial staff, families of the judges and members of the media.
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