The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has sworn into office six ministers and a deputy. He has also sworn in two justices of the Supreme Court.
The two separate swearing in ceremony took place yesterday at Jubilee House, where some family members and friends of the nominees attended as guests.
The two new judges are Justice Gorge Kingsley Koomson and Justice Ernest Yaw Gyau.
President Akufo-Addo, addressing the two judges said that their appointments were as a result of the retirements of Justice Clemence Honyenuga and Justice Agnes Dordzie.
He then congratulated the newly sworn in judges and told them that they are all eminently qualified to hold that office in accordance with law. “Your appointments are thus truly well-deserved and merited,” he said.
Referencing the constitution, he said that the Judiciary has “the onerous responsibilities to protect the individual liberties and fundamental human rights of citizens; to 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, President Akufo-Addo stated, is the Supreme Court, stressing the need for its judges to exhibit confidence and competence in the discharge of their duties.
He said that, expressed in Article 129, the Supreme Court is not bound to follow the decisions of any other Court, including even its own.
But it shall have all the powers and authority and jurisdictions vested in any court established by the Constitution, or any other law.
He encouraged the judges to administer justice without fear or favour, affection or ill-will and endeavour to protect the constitution of the country.
RESPONSE
In a remark, on his behalf and that of his colleague, His Lordship Justice Gorge Kingsley Koomson said it was a tremendous honor to be selected to serve at the Supreme Court.
He expressed gratitude to the President, the Judicial Council and Parliament for the trust reposed in them, pledging to uphold the constitution.
“We are committed to serving with professionalism,” saying that they look forward to working with their esteemed colleagues.
“We assure you that we will work assiduously to advance the cause of justice,” he said.
MINISTERS
The President later swore in Kobina Tahir Hammond, as the Minister for Trade and Industry, Bryan Acheampong, minister for Food and Agriculture, Stephen Asamoah Boateng, Minister for Religious Affairs Chieftaincy, Mohammed Amin Adams, Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Osei Bonsu Amoah, as the Minister of State at the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development; and Stephen Amoah, Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry.
Their swearing in followed their approval by parliament through secret ballot, which witnessed some drama.
President Akufo-Addo in his remarks thanked Parliament, “for the thorough manner in which they have dealt with your vetting and subsequent approval.”
He reminded them of the oaths they swore and what they meant, stressing that they should work in the rest of the constitution.
President Akufo-Addo expressed confidence in their various competence, believing that they can make a difference even in this final stages of his government.
