President Mahama charges new Supreme Court justices to protect public trust

President John Dramani Mahama has charged three newly sworn-in Supreme Court justices to protect the Constitution, uphold judicial independence and work to maintain public confidence in Ghana’s justice system.

The President said the authority of the Supreme Court ultimately depended on the trust Ghanaians placed in the judiciary and the fairness of decisions delivered by the Court.

He made the remarks on Thursday, September 10, 2026, when he swore in Justice Sophia Rosetta Oduokouan Bernasko-Essah, Justice Edward Amoako Asante and Anthony Fawson Jr, popularly known as Tony Fawson, following Parliament’s approval of their appointments.

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Congratulating the three justices, President Mahama described membership of the Supreme Court as one of the highest responsibilities in Ghana’s constitutional democracy.

He said their decisions must be guided by the law and delivered independently and without political or external influence.

“The authority of the Court does not rest on force or political power. It rests on the confidence and trust of the people,” the President said.

He urged the justices to remember that every judgment they deliver could have a direct impact on the lives and rights of citizens.

President Mahama said the three new justices bring different areas of experience that could strengthen the work of the Supreme Court.

Justice Bernasko-Essah, who has served on the Court of Appeal, was praised for her extensive judicial experience and knowledge of the practical administration of justice.

The President said her elevation was a recognition of her competence, discipline and commitment to the judiciary.

He urged her to use her experience to contribute to the clarity and consistency of Ghanaian law and the continued development of jurisprudence.

Justice Asante, meanwhile, was commended for combining his experience in Ghana’s judiciary with regional expertise from his time as President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice.

President Mahama said his work at the regional court exposed him to issues including human rights, regional integration, treaty obligations and the relationship between domestic and international law.

He said that experience would provide an important perspective as Justice Asante joins Ghana’s highest court.

For Fawson, President Mahama noted his decades of experience in private legal practice and his previous service as President of the Ghana Bar Association.

The President said his move from representing clients and advocating cases to determining disputes as a judge would require a different approach.

He reminded Fawson that as a Supreme Court justice, he would have to rise above competing interests and decide cases based on the law, evidence and justice.

President Mahama also reaffirmed his commitment to judicial independence, stressing that it was not a privilege for judges but a protection for ordinary citizens.

He said an independent judiciary was particularly important when dealing with politically sensitive cases or matters involving powerful individuals and institutions.

However, he cautioned that judicial independence must go hand in hand with accountability, discipline and commitment to the judicial oath.

“The oath you are taking today is consequential, not ceremonial,” he said.

The President reminded the new justices of their duty to administer justice without fear, favour, affection or ill will and to protect the Constitution.

President Mahama also turned his attention to delays within the justice delivery system, warning that prolonged cases and repeated adjournments could erode public confidence in the judiciary.

He urged the judiciary to continue with reforms aimed at making the courts more efficient and accessible, including the appropriate use of technology.

According to him, justice should not be limited by a person's financial position, social status or geographical location.

He said the success of Ghana’s judicial system should ultimately be judged by how fairly and quickly citizens are able to obtain justice.

The President said the three justices were assuming office at a time when the Supreme Court remained central to protecting constitutional rights, maintaining the separation of powers and upholding the principle that no individual or institution is above the law.

He expressed confidence that their combined experience in the judiciary, regional legal practice and private practice would enrich the Court’s deliberations and contribute to the development of Ghana’s constitutional and legal system.

NA/MA