President Akufo-Addo has sworn in Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo as the 15th Chief Justice (CJ) of the Republic of Ghana. She becomes the third woman to hold such an enviable portfolio in the history of the Fourth Republic.
At a solemn ceremony on Monday, June 12, 2023, at Jubilee House, President Akufo-Addo administered three oaths to the CJ, which were the oath of allegiance, the judicial oath, and the oath of secrecy, after which he presented an instrument of appointment to her, and she signed the oath book to seal the swearing in.
MORAL
In his address to the new CJ, the President underscored the essence of the judiciary, commanding the respect of the nation for the conduct of its judges.
“It is crucial that we have judges who are morally upright, have intellectual integrity, and have a thorough understanding of the law.”
According to the President, choosing Justice Gertrude Torkornoo was not a daunting task, considering her resume.
He said that the Council of State, in its consultative letter to him, spoke highly of the new CJ, vouching for “her discipline, integrity, efficiency, and, above all, her God-fearing nature.”
CONFIDENCE
Having gone through her credentials, President Akufo-Addo expressed confidence in Mrs. Gertrude Torkornoo. He had no doubt that she would be “an effective leader of the judiciary, zealously defend its independence, constantly uphold its dignity, and be a worthy successor to Chief Justice Anin Yeboah.”
It is the expectation of President Akufo-Addo that her tenure will be marked by order, fairness, diligence, respect for the rule of law, and the continuation of the modernization of judicial functions.
He assured the new CJ that he would be a dependable partner, just as he did with the retired CJ, Anin Yeboah, to ensure mutual respect between the two arms of government.
EULOGY
President Akufo-Addo eulogised the immediate past CJ, Justice Anin Yeboah, saying that his tenure witnessed major infrastructure development in the judiciary, adding that the nation “owed him a debt of gratitude.”
He also commended Justice Jones Dotse and Paul Baffoe Bonnie for holding the fort as acting CJs during the retirement of Anin Yeboah until the swearing in yesterday.
Acknowledging the support the judicial fraternity offered the then nominee at her vetting, President Akufo-Addo expects more now than ever.
APPRECIATION
In her inaugural speech, Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo expressed appreciation to the President for the nomination, the Council of State for giving advice on her to the President, and Parliament for vetting and approving her nomination.
She has pledged to improve the digitalization drive of the judiciary, but called for a budget increase by the executive. On this, she indicated that she would seek the support of the legislature.
According to her, the government should offer a listening ear to the financial plight of the judiciary and the judicial service staff to ensure the smooth acceleration of their services to the nation.
