'Administer justice without fear or favour, affection or ill will' — Mahama tells new Supreme Court justices

President John Dramani Mahama has tasked 3 newly sworn-in Supreme Court Justices with upholding Ghana’s Constitution and dispensing justice without fear, favour, affection or ill will.

He urged the justices to bring sound judgment, personal integrity, intellectual courage and patience to their work as members of the country’s highest court.

The President made the call on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at the Jubilee House when he swore in Justice Sophia Rosetta Oduokuwa Bernasko-Essah, Justice Edward Amoako Asante and Justice Anthony Forson Jnr. as Justices of the Supreme Court.

President Mahama said the legitimacy and authority of the Supreme Court did not come from political power or force, but from the confidence and trust placed in it by the Ghanaian people.

He stressed that this confidence could only be maintained when cases before the court were determined independently, impartially and strictly in accordance with the law.

“Let the quality of your reasoning define your legacy, the fairness of your decisions, and your unwavering loyalty to the Constitution,” he said.

The President cautioned the new justices against allowing political interests, public pressure, praise or criticism to affect their decisions, particularly when handling cases that attract intense public emotions.

“You will sometimes be called upon to decide matters that generate strong public emotions and competing political interests. In those moments, you must remain unmoved by the pressures, the praise, or the criticism,” he said.

He reminded them that every case before the court could have serious consequences for individuals whose rights, livelihoods, freedoms and futures depended on the outcome.

“Approach every matter with humility. Listen patiently. Examine the law carefully. Decide courageously,” President Mahama added.

He further charged the justices to safeguard constitutional rights, uphold the separation of powers and ensure that no individual or institution was treated as being above the law.

According to him, the oath of office taken by the justices was more than a formal requirement, describing it as a solemn commitment to the people of Ghana and the Constitution.

“The oath you are taking today is consequential, not ceremonial. It is a solemn covenant with the people of Ghana. It requires you to administer justice without fear or favour, affection or ill will, and to defend the Constitution of Ghana at all times,” he said.

President Mahama also called for continued reforms to improve the efficiency and accessibility of Ghana’s justice system.

He expressed concern about prolonged cases, avoidable adjournments and delays in delivering judgments, warning that such challenges could undermine public confidence in the judiciary while imposing unnecessary hardship on citizens.

He therefore urged the judiciary to adopt appropriate technology and reforms that would promote timely and accessible justice, irrespective of a person’s income, social status or geographical location.

The President described the Supreme Court as a crucial pillar of Ghana’s constitutional democracy, saying its decisions give practical meaning to the Constitution, resolve matters of national importance and influence the development of the country’s laws.

He congratulated the 3 newly appointed justices and urged them to discharge their responsibilities with wisdom, integrity and independence.

“May your judgments deepen our democracy, protect the vulnerable, and strengthen the rule of law,” he said.

President Mahama expressed confidence that their service on the Supreme Court would contribute to strengthening Ghana’s democracy and the rule of law.