President Akufo-Addo appoints Justice Cecilia Naa Shormeh Davis as Court of Appeal Judge

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has appointed Justice Cecilia Naa Shormeh Davis as a Justice of the Court of Appeal.

The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Jubilee House on Friday, December 20, 2024. The president administered the Oath of Allegiance, the Judicial Oath and the Oath of Secrecy.

Justice Cecilia Davis now joins 34 other Justices of the Court of Appeal, the second highest court in the country. Her appointment reflects her strong commitment to fair justice and her ability to uphold the law impartially and without bias.

With over nine years of experience as a Justice of the High Court, Justice Davis takes on her new role with expectations to maintain the highest standards of justice and uphold the rule of law.

President Akufo-Addo urged Justice Cecilia Davis to serve with humility, integrity and a deep sense of responsibility in serving the Ghanaian people.

He said “As you take on the duty as Justice of the Court of Appeal, I urge you to approach your duty with humility, integrity and a deep sense of responsibility. Remember that the power you wield as a Judge is not for personal gain or aggrandizement but for service to the Ghanaian people.

Every decision you make should be guided by the principles of fairness, justice and the rule of law. You have a profound obligation to ensure that our Judiciary remains a beacon of hope for the citizenry and a pillar of strength for our democracy.

Justice Cecilia Davis, the task before you is not an easy one. The decisions you make will have an impact, not only on the parties before you but also on the broader society.”

In response, Justice Cecilia Davis promised to fulfill her duties to all citizens without fear or favour. “I assure you, Your Excellency that I have just taken three Oaths and I promise to live by them by the Grace of God. I promise to discharge my duties, to dispense justice in accordance with the law, to all manner of persons without fear or favour.”

On July 15, 2016, Justice Cecilia Davis was sworn in as a Justice of the High Court by the then Chief Justice, Georgina Theodora Wood. The appointment came after a significant judicial shake-up, following an expose on judicial corruption.

Following her appointment as a Justice of the High Court, she presided over numerous high-profile cases, contributing to the Judiciary’s effort to uphold justice and the rule of law.

Justice Davis’ judgments and rulings have since shown the importance of respecting the rule of law and the need for proper legal procedures before actions are taken by authorities. She is noted for upholding justice and ensuring that legal processes are followed accurately.

Justice Cecilia Naa Shormeh Davis holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Law and History from the University of Ghana, Legon and a Barrister-at-Law certificate from the Ghana School of Law. She was called to the Ghana Bar in 1990. She also holds a Masters in Business Administration (MBA in Finance) degree from the University of Ghana Business School and a Certificate in Media Law from the University of Oxford, United Kingdom.

Her distinguished legal background and education earned her the appointment to the High Court where she served in various capacities within the judicial system. She worked variously at the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), the Serious Fraud Office (now EOCO) and the Graphic Communications Group Limited where she gained extensive experience in all aspects of the legal profession.

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