28th anniversary of three murdered High Court judges

Accra, June 30, GNA - The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) on Wednesday held a remembrance service in Accra to commemorate the 28th anniversary of the three High Court judges who were murdered for upholding the rule of law. The three High Court judges murdered at the Bundase Military Range were Mrs Justice Cecilia Koranteng-Addow, Mr Justice Fred Poku Sarkodie and Mr Justice Kwadwo Agyei Agyepong.

Speaking at the service at the Christ the King Catholic Church in Accra, Mr Frank Beecham, National President of GBA, said the Association had for the past 28 years mourned the death of its departed colleagues with heavy hearts.


"In response to the call for reconciliation by the National Reconciliation Commission, we have forgiven the wrongdoers for their evil deeds. But we still remember the martyrs of the rule of law. The time has come for us to celebrate them," he added.


He extolled the virtues of the murdered lawyers and their determination to stand for the rule of law without fear or favour. "You stood for the rule of law. But your assassins hated what you stood for and murdered you. They could not eliminate what you stood for," he added.


Mr Beecham said the law fraternity would continue to draw inspiration from the bold and courageous manner in which the murdered judges administered justice in those challenging times.


Reverend Father Andrew Campbell, Officiating Minister, urged all persons who were affected by the death of the murdered judges to learn to forgive the perpetrators of the act.

"Just as Joseph forgave his brothers for the harm done to him, so would I appeal to you all to learn to forgive those who committed such act," he said.


According to Rev. Father Campbell, true inner peace came from one's ability to forgive the sins of those who had wronged him. He urged the congregation to pray for those who had offended them so that they could experience true peace and forgiveness from God for their sins.


Rev. Father Campbell urged Ghanaians to eschew tendencies that sought to derail people's efforts at succeeding in life and also keep away from corrupt practices.


The ceremony was attended by the Chief Justice, Mrs Georgina Wood, Mr Ebo Barton Odro, Deputy Attorney General, Justices of the Superior Courts of Judicature and relations of the murdered judges. 30 June 10