Mahama's Fiery Charge to New Justices: Uphold Constitution, Shun Political Meddling!
President John Dramani Mahama swore in three new Supreme Court Justices, urging them to uphold judicial independence and accountability to build public trust. He emphasized that judicial independence protects citizens' rights, while also calling for reforms to improve efficiency and make justice more accessible to all Ghanaians. The new justices, with their diverse experiences, pledged to serve with fairness and impartiality.
President John Dramani Mahama inducted three new Justices into Ghana’s Supreme Court on Thursday, September 10, at the Jubilee House, urging them to uphold judicial independence, ensure accountability, and deepen public trust in the judiciary. The newly appointed Justices are Sophia Rosetta Bernasko Essah, Edward Amoako Asante, and Anthony Forson Jnr (a private legal practitioner and former President of the Ghana Bar Association). The ceremony was witnessed by Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang and Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie.
President Mahama emphasized that judicial independence is paramount for protecting the rights of citizens and ensuring that every case is determined fairly and strictly according to the law, even when issues are difficult, unpopular, or politically sensitive. He clarified that this independence is not a privilege for judges but a safeguard for citizens. However, he stressed that independence must be accompanied by accountability, discipline, and unwavering fidelity to the judicial oath.
The President highlighted that the authority of the Supreme Court, as Ghana’s final judicial authority, is rooted in the confidence and trust of the people, not political power or force. This public confidence, he stated, depends on the assurance that justice is administered independently and impartially. Beyond legal knowledge, judges must demonstrate sound judgment, personal integrity, intellectual courage, patience, and a deep commitment to justice. He described the judicial oath as a