President Akufo-Addo has sworn in 15 justices to the Court of Appeals. They were sworn in yesterday at a solemn ceremony held at Jubilee House.
The new Court of Appeals Justices are: Justice Alex Owusu-Ofori, Justice Emmanuel Ankamah, Justice Jerome Noble-Nkrumah, Justice Gifty Agyei Addo (Mrs.), and Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe (Mrs.).
Others are: Justice Samuel Obeng-Diawuo, Justice Hafisata Amaleboba (Mrs.), Justice Kweku Tawiah Ackaah-Boafo, Justice Jennifer Abena Dadzie, and Justice Charles Edward Ekow Baiden.
The rest are Justice Stephen Oppong, Mr. Patrick Kwamina Baiden, Mr. Christopher Archer, Professor (Mrs.) Olivia Anku-Tsede, and Dr. Ernest Owusu-Dapaah.
The President led the ten men and five women to take three oaths, after which they signed the oath book.
ADDRESS
President Akufo-Addo addressed the new justices by expressing his honour to appoint them upon the advice of the Council of State and in accordance with law.
According to the President, the 15 justices had the impartiality of mind and independence of spirit and were thus fit for the position.
He told them to bear in mind that the growth of the nation depended on them.
“So, to our new justices of the Court of Appeal, it is important to bear in mind that the growth of our nation demands that we have a judiciary that commands respect of the people by the quality of its delivery of justice, as well as by its comportment of its judges. It is vitally important that we have judges who are honest, possess integrity and a sound knowledge of the law,” he said.
The President continued: “The situation where judges proffer judgment on the basis of 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.”
He asked the justices to be “learned, know your cases, and ensure that your judgments are based on law.”
The President further told the justices to ensure that when a person falls foul of the law, he or she is dealt with accordingly.
INTERVENTION
He outlined the measures his government had put in place since assuming office, including the E-Justice system.
He mentioned that the establishment of a modern court complex in Kumasi would help handle cases in the northern parts of the country.
He recalled the program to construct 120 accommodation facilities for judges to help deal with the lack of accommodation issue.
The President stated these interventions to demonstrate the government’s commitment to providing safe and sound working environments for the judiciary.
He wished “the newly appointed justices of the Appeals Court well” and ended his address.
RESPONSE
Responding to the President’s charges to the new judges, Her Ladyship Justice Afia Serwaa expressed “our profound gratitude to the President for the opportunity given us to serve our country.”
She further thanked the Judicial Council for taking them through rigorous procedures before recommending them for the appointments.
He assured the President and Ghanaians that “we shall continue to live up to the trust reposed in us…”
