Let the Constitution remain your compass – President Mahama charges new Supreme Court Justices

President John Dramani Mahama has charged three newly sworn-in Justices of the Supreme Court to remain guided by the Constitution and uphold the principles of justice, fairness and judicial independence in the discharge of their duties.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of Justice Sophia Rosetta Oduokunwa Bernasco-Essa, Justice Edward Amoako Asante and Justice Anthony Forson Jnr., President Mahama said the oath taken by the new Justices was not merely ceremonial but a solemn covenant with the people of Ghana.

“Let the Constitution remain your compass,” President Mahama told the new Justices, urging them to remain firm when confronted with matters that generate strong public emotions and competing political interests.

He said the Justices would, at various points in their careers, be required to determine cases that could attract intense public scrutiny, pressure and criticism.

“In those moments, you must remain unmoved by the pressures, the praise, or the criticism,” he said.

President Mahama further cautioned the new members of the apex court not to allow themselves to be defined by the individuals, governments or institutions that appear before them.

“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 stressed that the authority of the Supreme Court did not derive from political power or force, but from the confidence and trust of the Ghanaian people.

He said citizens must be assured that matters brought before the Court would be determined independently, impartially and strictly according to the law.

According to President Mahama, membership of the Supreme Court requires more than legal knowledge, stressing the importance of sound judgment, personal integrity, intellectual courage, patience and a deep commitment to justice.

He urged the new Justices to protect constitutional rights, preserve the separation of powers and ensure that no individual or institution was placed above the law.

President Mahama also underscored the importance of judicial independence, describing it as a protection afforded to citizens rather than a privilege granted to judges for their personal benefit.

“Judicial independence is not a privilege granted to judges for their personal benefit. It is a protection that is afforded to citizens so that their rights may be determined fairly, even when the issues before the courts are difficult and popular or politically sensitive,” he said.

He, however, noted that judicial independence must be accompanied by accountability, discipline and fidelity to the judicial oath.

The President also called for continued reforms within the judiciary to improve efficiency, embrace appropriate technology and make justice more accessible to Ghanaians regardless of their income, status or geographical location.

He expressed concern about delays in the justice delivery system, noting that prolonged cases, avoidable adjournments and delays in delivering judgments could weaken public confidence and amount to a denial of justice.

President Mahama also urged the Supreme Court to communicate its reasoning with clarity, saying clear and well-reasoned judgments would provide dependable guidance to lower courts, public institutions, legal practitioners and citizens.

He reminded the three new Justices that behind every case file were people whose rights, livelihoods, freedoms and futures could depend on the decisions of the Court.

“Approach every matter with humility, listen patiently, examine the law carefully, decide courageously, and let justice and the national interest remain your abiding purpose,” he said.

President Mahama congratulated Justice Bernasco-Essa, Justice Asante and Justice Forson on their appointments and expressed confidence that their diverse professional and judicial experiences would strengthen the Supreme Court.

Justice Bernasco-Essa brings extensive experience from the Court of Appeal, while Justice Asante combines national appellate experience with his service as a former President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice.

Justice Forson, a former President of the Ghana Bar Association, joins the Supreme Court from private legal practice, bringing decades of experience as a legal practitioner.