By: Bright Ntramah
President Akufo-Addo has sworn three new justices of the Supreme Court into office and charged them to strengthen the development of Ghana’s constitution, and ensure that their judgments contribute to the development of the nation.
They are Justice Justice Henry Anthony Koffie, Justice Yaw Darko Asare and Justice Richard Adjei-Frimpong.
Their elevation to the Supreme Court was necessitated by the vacancies created by the retirements of Nene Abayateye Ofoe Amegatcher on February 3, 2023, Chief Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah on May 24, 2023 and Jones Victor Mawulorm Dotse on June 8, 2023.
The ceremony was in fulfillment of Article 144 (2) of the 1992 Constitution and comes on the heels of rigorous nomination and confirmation process initiated by the Judicial Council and undertaken in consultation with the Council of state with the approval of Parliament.
At a short ceremony at the Jubilee House, Accra, where the three took the Allegiance, Judicial and Secrecy oaths, the President later presented them with the Warrants of Appointment draped in the red, gold and green colours after signing the Oath book.
President Akufo-Addo said the constitution has positioned the Supreme Court as the policy court, where far-reaching decisions on the legal ramifications of the socio-economic development of the country were fashioned in response to the exigencies of the times.
He exhorted them to bear in mind that the growth of the nation demands that the Judiciary commands the respect of the people by the quality of its delivery of justice, as well as by the comportment of its Judges.
Application of the laws of the land the President noted must occur, in the words of the Judicial Oath, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will, and, therefore, without recourse to the political, religious or ethnic affiliations of any citizen of the land.
Justice Henry Anthony Kwofie on behalf of his colleagues commended all bodies who saw to their screening, appointments, vetting and swearing in. He gave the assurance that they will execute their mandate without fear or favour.
The Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, members of the Judicial Council, President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, the Chief of Staff, Attorney General and Minister of Justice among others were in attendance.
