Administer justice with clear conscience - Kufuor

Accra, Nov. 22, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Wednesday swore in 19 newly appointed Justices of the Court of Appeal, High Court and a Regional Tribunal reminding them to always administer justice with clear conscience.

Additionally, it should never be lost on them that statecraft was crucial to the justice they were called to dispense. He said their rulings and decisions should therefore ensure the integrity of the state. "The state must be served, upheld and protected by the rule of law."

Of the number, seven were appointed to the Court of Appeal. They are; Mr Justice Samuel Marful-Sau, Mr Justice Richard Asamoah, Mr Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, Mr Justice Yaw Appau, Ms Justice Mariama Owusu, Mr Justice Isaac Duose and Mr Osafo Sampong, a former Director of Public Prosecutions.

The High Court Justices are Mr Justice Kwame Adibu Asiedu, Mr Justice Philip Bright Mensah, Mr Justice Mustapha Habib Logoh, Mr Justice Victor Gerhardt Kwasi Ayimey, Mr Justice Mohammed Ahmed Mustapha and Mr Justice Bright Meslotso Echasi Kofi Dzebre. The rest are Mr Justice Nicholas Mensah Cudjoe Abodakpi, Mr Justice Justin Kofi Dogu, Mr Justice Kofi Essel Mensah, Mr Justice Imoro Ziblim and Mr Saeed Kwaku Gyan.

Mr Justice Kwadwo Owusu was appointed to the Regional Tribunal. They had earlier taken the Judicial Oath, Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of Secrecy before being presented with their Instrument of Appointment.

President Kufuor advised them to continue to learn the law and to apply it to the letter and content.

The Chief Justice, Mr Justice George Kingsley Acquah, asked them to support the various acts of reform initiated to improve the image of the Judiciary, saying they should play their part in assisting to rebuild the image.

He said he was hopeful that they were going to help to ensure that cases and adjournments, which had become the bane of the Judiciary, were reduced to the barest minimum.

Mr Justice Marful-Sau on behalf of his colleagues said they would uphold the Judicial Oath they had taken, adding that they would help in the national effort to build a culture of respect for law and order through hard work, honesty and firmness.