22 Judges Take Office

Twenty-two individuals have been officially sworn in as circuit court judges and district court magistrates of the judicial service of ghana. The newly sworn-in judges made up of twelve circuit court judges and ten district magistrates were appointed after a successful written examination administered by a body of judges and an interview process by the appointments committee of the judicial council. The circuit court judges were Aboagye Tandoh, Emmanuel Agyir, Yusif Abdul Asibey, Ali Baba Abature, Kwame Amoako and Samuel Boakye Yiadom, Ruby Naa Ayikai Aryeetey, Vivian Ellen Amoah, Patricia Quansah, Abena Oppong Adjin-Doku, Afi Agbanu Kudomor and Mariama Sammo. The magistrates were Addo Issac, Acheampong Opoku Yaw, Agyei Issac, Ampadu Kudjo Michael, Annin Francis, Boateng Yaw Charles, Ms Eyiah-Donkor Chritiana, Dr Kotoku Worlanyo, Ms Nsemoh Arit and Mrs Dorinda Smith- Arthur . Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Wood, in her address to the new judges said their position was well-earned taking into consideration the appointment procedure they went through. She therefore urged the new judges to be motivated to achieve the highest level of excellence and distinction as they would be judged by the people and the community that they were going to serve. �The people and the community that we serve are entitled to and will indeed judge us strictly by our performance, our competence and our treatment of the persons who appear before us and who incidentally entrusted us with the judicial power that we yield,� she said. Her Ladyship Georgina Theodora Wood also entreated the judges to handle the business of judging decently and responsibly and within the strict confines of the law to avoid being sanctioned by the judicial council. �It is important to bear in mind that a judge may be removed from office for stated misconduct such as corruption, incompetence, gross insubordination or abuse of office,� she said. The Chief Justice further assured the judges that the judiciary would do everything that lied in its power to promote and defend the independence of the judiciary. The Attorney General, Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong, urged the judges to play the role of worthy ambassadors of the judiciary. She however noted that institutions and individuals should play their role to ensure they benefitted from the independent judicial institution made up of people who were competent to discharge justice without fear or favour. The president of the Ghana Bar Association, Nene Amegatcher, said the oath they took was fundamental to their service to mother Ghana through the third arm of Government. He said the bar would assist them to work together to promote the rule of law, but was quick to caution them against the perception that in order for a case to be won, the Judge must be seen in chambers. �This perception is real so be disciplined and stand firm in your line of duty knowing that it is through hard work, integrity, and diligence that you are promoted,� Amegatcher said.