President John Dramani Mahama has sworn in 37 new High Court judges, charging them to uphold the highest standards of justice, integrity, and fairness in the discharge of their duties.
At a ceremony held at the Jubilee House in Accra on Thursday, October 23, President Mahama urged the new judges to apply the law without fear or favour and to protect the rights of all citizens.
He said the effective administration of justice was central to Ghana’s democracy and economic stability, noting that the judiciary played a critical role in preserving national cohesion and investor confidence.
“This ceremony represents more than an appointment. It is a renewal of our faith in the enduring principle that justice is the fairness pillar of our democracy and that Ghana shall always be governed by law, never by the whims of capricious power,” the President stated.
The judges took the Oath of Allegiance, the Judicial Oath, and the Oath of Secrecy before receiving their instruments of appointment from the President.
President Mahama reminded the judges that the High Court serves as the “people’s court,” where justice most directly affects the daily lives of Ghanaians.
He urged them to be guided solely by the law and the evidence presented in every case.
“Be incorruptible, not only in fact but also in perception. Let every citizen who appears before you believe that their fate rests solely on the evidence and the law, never on influence or connections,” he cautioned.
He stressed the inseparable link between justice and development, saying that economic progress and social stability depended on the credibility and efficiency of the judicial system. “Justice and development are not separate ideals; they are inseparable twins of the same mother. A nation that invests in infrastructure but neglects the rule of law builds its progress on shifting sands,” he remarked.
President Mahama also commended the judiciary for its strong record in promoting gender equity, particularly in recent appointments to the bench.
He praised the increasing representation of women in the judiciary, noting that their presence reflected the institution’s commitment to inclusivity and affirmative action.
“Even though I am the appointing authority, I want to commend the judiciary when it comes to affirmative action and gender. You are doing far better than the executive,” he said, drawing applause from guests at the ceremony.
He added that recent judicial appointments to the Court of Appeal had seen significant female representation. “A short while ago, we swore in Appeal Court judges, and a good number — almost the majority — were women. Again, I see that women are well represented here in this batch of High Court judges. Congratulations, and I ask the executive people sitting here to emulate your example,” he added.
The newly sworn-in judges are expected to strengthen the judiciary’s role in ensuring fairness, accountability, and trust in Ghana’s justice system, as the nation continues to consolidate its democratic and institutional foundations.
