New Justices Take Office

President John Evans Atta Mills on Monday reminded judges of the independence of the bench and cautioned against partisanship to ensure fairness at the judiciary at all times.

He said it was unfortunate that there was a perception that some members of the Judiciary were partisan, calling for the condemnation of the manifestation of partisanship and influence in the nation's courts.

Swearing in three new judges recently promoted to the Supreme Court, at the Osu Castle in Accra, President Mills reiterated that the Judiciary was a very important arm of Government which must be fair at all times to ensure national peace.

The three new Supreme Court Judges sworn in were; Mr Justice Benjamin Teiko Aryeetey, Mr Justice Nasiru Sulemana Gbadegbe and Justice Vida Akoto Bamfo.

They took the Oath of Allegiance, Judicial Oath and the Oath of Secrecy administered by the President.

The President later presented them with the scrolls which symbolise the Instrument of their Appointment, as they signed the Oath Books.

President Mills said he had known all the judges for more than 35 years and congratulated them on their elevation to the Supreme Court.

He expressed confidence in their abilities to effectively discharge their duties and gave an assurance that Government would provide the necessary environment for the effective discharge of their duties.

 He also wished them God's blessing and guidance in their assignment.

 Vice President John Dramani Mahama observed that Ghana had been on course of democratic governance since 1992.

 He said it was time to strengthen the nation's democratic institutions, so that predictable outcomes of the nation's democratic practice could be made without fear or favour.

The Vice President said fairness and national interest should be upheld at the Judiciary “no matter what face is brought before it”.

He announced that gaps in the nation's legal regime would be tackled in the proposed constitutional review promised by the Government to harmonise laws to conform to the requirements of the African Peer Review Mechanism.

Chief Justice Mrs. Georgina Theodora Wood called on the Justices to bring their vast experience to bear on the Judiciary, to enhance the work of the Supreme Court.

Mr. Justice Aryeetey, on behalf of his colleagues, said they would effectively discharge their duties.

Source: GNA