Ghanaian president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has sworn into office, Justice Barbara Frances Ackah-Yensu and Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu Asiedu as Justices of the Supreme Court.
Parliament on December 11 approved the two Justices, both Court of Appeal Justices, nominated by the President.
President Akufo-Addo in July 2022 nominated three Justices of the Appeal Court and a Justice of the High Court to fill up vacancies at the Supreme Court.
The nominees, Justices Barbara Frances Ackah-Yensu, Justice George Kingsley Komsomol, Justice Samuel Adibu Asiedu and Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu were vetted by Parliament in October.
However, the Appointments Committee of Parliament recommended two — Justices Barbara Frances Ackah-Yensu and Samuel Kwame Adibu Asiedu—raising suspicion about the appointments of the other two.
At the Jubilee House on Wednesday, President Akufo-Addo led the two Justices to swear the Oath of Allegiance, Judicial Oath and the Oath of Secrecy and subsequently issue to them their letters of appointment.
He said the post-1966 Supreme Court has developed a positive reputation for the quality of its constitutional jurisprudence.
That, the President urged the Justices, who have already had a good experience from the high judicial office of the Court of Appeal, to help strengthen the development of the nation’s constitutional and other jurisprudence of the Supreme Court.
The country’s Constitution, President Akufo-Addo indicated, has decreed that the Judiciary has jurisdiction on all matters of the application of the law—civil and criminal—including matters relating to the interpretation and the enforcement of the constitution.
“The Judiciary also has the onerous responsibilities to protect the individual liberties and fundamental human rights of citizens, act as the arbiter in disputes between the state and the citizenry, to act as the arbiter in disputes between citizens and all persons, and to serve as the bulwark for the defence and promotion of the liberties and rights of the people.”
Central to the execution of this function, President Akufo-Addo stated, is the Supreme Court.
As expressed in Article 129, the Supreme Court is not bound to follow the decisions of any other Court, including even its own. It shall have all the powers and authority and jurisdictions vested in any court established by the Constitution, or any other law.
President Akufo-Addo reminded the two Justices to be learned, know their case law and ensure their decisions and judgements are properly motivated, adding, it is in this manner that Judges will be able to contribute to the orderly development of the nation.
“You’ve met the stringent requirements of Article 128 Clause 4 of the Constitution and demonstrated the independence of spirit, proven integrity, high moral character and impartiality of mind to hold this high Office”.
“Your appointment to the highest court of the land is as truly well deserving and merited.”
On behalf of her colleague, Justice Barbara Frances Ackah- Yensu said they would pursue diligence and contribute to enriching and developing Ghana’s jurisprudence in the interest of Justice.
