31 Judges take Office

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Created on Thursday, 02 April 2015 00:00

31 Judges take Office

The Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana, Justice Theodora Georgina Wood, has sworn in nine high court and 11 circuit court judges into office.

Eleven magistrates were also sworn into office by Her Ladyship Justice Wood, at a ceremony in Accra.

Five of the new justices of the high court were promoted to circuit court judges while the other four were called from the bar. The circuit court judges also had two judges being promoted and nine being called from the bar.

The 31 judges and magistrates took the Oath of Allegiance, Judicial Oath and the Oath of Secrecy as they were led by the chief justice.

The chief justice in her address to the new judges and magistrates, congratulated them on their selection which according to her, was based on merit.

She said the judiciary is in a very challenging time which requires exceptional efforts and great sacrifice on the part of the judges to leave an indelible mark in the judicial sands of the time.

She also reminded the new judges of the fact that they constitute one of the major players in the maintenance of law and order in the country.

“Your decisions thus have far-reaching consequences for the peace and stability of this nation,” she said.

Justice Wood also advised them to base their judgments solely on sound judicial philosophy and legal principles while calling on their families to give them all the support they need to succeed in their new offices.

Deputy Attorney General, Dr. Dominic Ayine, reiterated that the first duty of the judge is to do justice without fear or favour, affection or ill-wills.

He said they must therefore be blind to outside influences and internal habit in administering justice.

“In doing justice you must be good ambassadors of the Lady Chief Justice, demonstrating exemplary virtues on and off the Bench and writing judgment that will stand the test of time,” he said.

Justice Denis Adjei, President of the Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana (AMJG) in his remarks, entreated the new judges and magistrates to effectively manage their courts to ensure that cases are heard expeditiously to avoid delays and expenses on the part of litigants.

“A judge who fails to manage his or her court well is likely to make litigation an unproductive venture; and we should manage our court to make litigation beneficial to the people who come to seek justice,” he admonished.

Nene Amegatcher, President of the Ghana Bar Association, also urged the new judges and magistrates to exhibit high sense of judicial temperament and integrity in the discharge of their duties as they take up the new challenge of being promoted into office.

By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri

Source: Daily Guide