10 new justices sworn in as High Court judges
On Monday, 18th July 2022, 10 Justices of the High Court were inducted into the office by President Nana Akufo-Addo.
The swearing-in ceremony was conducted at the seat of government, the Jubilee House in Accra.
Making up the list of 10 are Honour Mercy Adei Kotei, Mrs Cynthia Martinson, Dr Bridget Kafui Antonio-Apedzi, Ms Nabeela Naeema Wahab, His Honour Ebenezer Osei-Darko, His Honour Bernard Bentil, His Honour Alexander Graham, Mr George Kwame Gyan-Kontoh, Mr Richard Apietu and Mr Eric Ansah Ankomah.
The President expressed confidence that they are eminently fit and qualified for the position of Justices of the High Court, and have the impartiality of mind and independence of spirit necessary to hold the high office.
With the High Court described as a superior court of record, with original and general jurisdiction as a tribunal of the first instance, President Akufo-Addo told the new judges to exhibit honesty, integrity and sound knowledge of the law.
“A corrupt or incompetent judge is a danger to the public interest and judicial administration. The situation, where judges proffer judgements on the basis of decisions from lower courts and cite them as law, is not acceptable, and even less so when judges cite no authority at all for their rulings and give orders without reasons,” he added.
“You must be learned, know your case law and ensure your decisions and judgements are properly motivated. The principle of stare decisis, the ancient common law doctrine of precedent, has been, and continues to be the time-honoured foundation for the coherent development of the law, and should not be lightly discarded,” President Akufo-Addo added.
