Chief Justice urges Judges to demonstrate high sense of integrity

The Chief Justice, Mrs Justice Georgina Wood on Thursday called on judges to demonstrate a high sense of integrity and moral character in their professional and personal life.

They should show a firm commitment to the principle of equal justice under the law.

She said, judges must bear in mind that their office are not about the tittles, prestige or the pomp that accompany it, but should be staunch defenders of the rule of law and protectors of the rights and freedoms of the citizenry.

Mrs Justice Wood made the call at the swearing-in of four new Circuit Court Judges and five Magistrates in Accra.

They swore the Oath of Allegiance, Secrecy and the Judicial Oath.

The Circuit Court Judges are; Mr Yaw Owoahene Acheampong, Mr Ebenezer Osei Darko, Mr Gabriel Mate Teye and Ms Lydia Osei Marfo.

The Magistrates comprised; Mr Franklin Titus-Glover, Ms Mavis Ekua Enyamah Kwainoe, Nana Brew, Mr Kwabena Ofedie and Mr Williams Baffoe.

Mrs Justice Wood said, a judge’s work and lifestyle on the bench and out of the courtroom is constantly under public scrutiny.

She said Ghanaians would expect judges to administer justice to all manner of persons without fear or favour, and in all ethical issues.

“Your use of judicial authority should be such as would advance, not retard the progress of our great nation,” she added.

Mrs Justice Wood said, other core values which define the professional role of a judge such as competence and diligence should not be lost on them.

She said one of the sacrifices that judges could offer to the nation is to be hardworking and resourceful, be innovative and creative within the bounds of legality by making optimum use of the time and resources that might be placed at their disposal.

Mrs Justice Wood said, despite the trying conditions under which magistrates and judges work, many of them are highly industrious and productive.

She urged the new judges and magistrates to follow the good examples of their senior colleagues and pay heed to their wise counsel as related to the business of judging in professional manner.

Mr Ebo Barton Odro, Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice reminded the new judges and magistrates that their position calls for a lot of circumspection.

He said Ghanaians would expect a lot from them by ensuring that justice is done to all without affection or ill will.

Mr Odro said the new judges and magistrates had come at a time when remuneration of the judiciary had improved and believed that this would motivate them to work harder.**