Mahama tasks new Supreme Court justices to make justice more accessible

President John Dramani Mahama has charged Ghana’s newly appointed Supreme Court justices to help bridge the gap between constitutional justice and the everyday experiences of citizens, warning that judicial independence must be matched by efficiency, accountability and timely delivery of justice. Speaking at the swearing-in of three new Supreme Court justices at Jubilee House on Thursday, September 10, President Mahama said the judiciary’s credibility depended not only on the quality of its decisions but also on whether ordinary Ghanaians could access justice without undue delay. Justice Sophia Rosetta Oduokouan Bernasko-Essah, Justice Edward Amoako Asante and Anthony Fawson Jr, popularly known as Tony Fawson, were sworn into office after receiving Parliament’s approval.

The President said their appointment came with a responsibility extending beyond the determination of individual cases, as the Supreme Court remains the final judicial authority on matters affecting the Constitution, national governance and the development of Ghanaian law. President Mahama said the ultimate measure of a strong judiciary was public confidence that cases would be decided independently, impartially and according to the law. He stressed that Supreme Court judges required more than legal expertise, identifying sound judgement, integrity, intellectual courage, patience and commitment to justice as essential qualities.

According to him, the oath taken by the new justices represented a solemn obligation to the Ghanaian people rather than a ceremonial exercise. He urged them to protect constitutional rights, uphold the separation of powers and ensure that no person or institution was placed above the law. But beyond constitutional principles, Mr Mahama said the judiciary must confront practical challenges that affect citizens’ ability to obtain justice.

“Justice delayed continues to impose immense hardship on our ordinary citizens,” he said, pointing to prolonged cases, avoidable adjournments and delays in delivering judgments as factors that undermine confidence in the judicial system. He consequently called on the judiciary to pursue reforms that improve efficiency, make appropriate use of technology and ensure that access to justice does not depend on a person’s income, status or location. The President said the three new justices brought distinct professional experiences that co…

President John Mahama has cautioned that prolonged court cases, avoidable adjournments and delays in delivering judgments are undermining public confidence in Ghana’s judicial system. He said such delays impose significant hardship on ordinary citizens and, in some instances, can amount to a denial of justice. “Prolonged cases, avoidable adjournments, and delays in delivering judgments weaken confidence in the judicial system and can amount to a denial of justice,” President Mahama said.

He therefore urged the judiciary to pursue reforms aimed at improving efficiency and embrace appropriate technology to make justice more accessible to all Ghanaians. According to him, access to justice should not be determined by a person’s income, status or geographical location. The President therefore urged the judiciary to pursue reforms that improve efficiency, embrace appropriate technology and make justice more accessible to all Ghanaians, regardless of their income, status or geographical location.