The eight judges in a pose with the Chief Judges
THE CHIEF JUSTICE Georgina Wood has sworn in eight judges as high court judges in Accra with a call on Ghanaians to permit judges to discharge their duties in accordance with their oath of office.
“It would be remiss on my part if I do not draw your attention to the possible future attempt by litigating parties either acting by themselves or through other agents to exploit your relationship with our new justices for their selfish ends,” she said.
She consequently urged the judges to be quick to take up the challenge of fiercely protecting their family relations from the pressures of such influences.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony the CJ noted that “by refusing to be a party to any act or omission that undermines or will undermine the substantive independence of individual judges, you are in essence defending and preserving the integrity of the judicial branch of government and by extension protecting the sovereignty of Ghana.”
She commended the new judges whom she said had successfully gone through a rigorous recruitment process including examinations, assessment of judgments and addresses, interviews and background checks by national security.
The eight are Emmanuel Ankamah, Richard M. Kogyapwah, Jerome Noble Nkrumah, George Krofa Addae, Nana Adwoa Coleman, Patience Mills-Tetteh, Naa Adole Azu and Merley Afua Wood.
Mrs. Wood urged the new high court judges to treat people who accessed the courts with civility and respect and attend to their needs in a timely manner.
According to the Chief Justice, persons who access the courts deserved to be treated in this manner.
She added that the advice was in conformity with current global stands and international best practice which required public service officials to conduct public business with professionalism.
The CJ therefore urged the new judges to exhibit personal and professional integrity, punctuality, productivity; competence and diligence in the discharge of their duties, to enable them gain the respect and honour of the Bar as well as the general public.
Justice Alex B. Poku-Acheampong, Judicial Secretary on his part commended the new judges for their hard work which had earned them such an honour.
By Stella Danso Addai