President John Dramani Mahama has urged the newly sworn-in Justices of the Court of Appeal to uphold their responsibility to justice while resisting the tide of public cynicism that threatens confidence in Ghana’s judiciary.
He delivered this charge at the swearing-in of 21 High Court Judges elevated to the appellate bench on Thursday, October 2, 2025.
Addressing the gathering, President Mahama acknowledged that in recent times, judicial rulings have come under heightened scrutiny, with citizens openly and sometimes harshly questioning verdicts. He emphasised, however, that this scrutiny should not be mistaken for rejection of the judiciary, but rather as a testament to public belief in its relevance.
“Criticism of judgments is not the end of hope; it is the evidence of hope. It shows that Ghanaians still believe in the courts, that justice still matters, and that verdicts have meaning in their lives”
President John Dramani Mahama
Even as he welcomed robust public engagement with the judiciary, President Mahama warned of the dangers of doubt that could erode the foundations of justice. “What we must guard against is cynicism – the corrosive belief that the courts no longer serve the people but only the powerful in society,” he cautioned.
He urged the newly elevated justices to carry with them the knowledge that their decisions hold immense weight in shaping public faith in democracy. The president further reminded the justices that their duties extend beyond the interpretation of law to the preservation of justice as a pillar of Ghana’s democracy.
“Every ruling you make can remind citizens that Ghana is still a land of hope where truth prevails and justice is not for sale. I urge you not to be just arbiters of law, but also custodians of hope.
“Carry with you the solemn truth that justice is the most powerful promise of our democracy and that through your service this promise will endure”
President John Dramani Mahama
The President stressed that the judiciary, through fairness and impartiality, must reinforce the unimpeachable role that justice plays in the land.
Affirmative Action and Judicial Appointments
Out of the 21 judges sworn in, nine were women. President Mahama highlighted this as significant progress toward gender balance in national institutions, noting that “it goes beyond the 30 percent requirement outlined in the Affirmative Action law.”
Among the newly elevated justices is Dormaahene Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II, President of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs, who now joins the Court of Appeal.
Other appointees include Justice Senyo Amedahe of the Koforidua High Court, Justice Olivia Boeng Owusu, Justice Douglas Seidu, Justice Ali Baba Bature, Justice Mariama Samo, Justice Abena Adzin Doku, Justice Mary Maame Akua Yanzu, Justice Justin Dorgu, Justice George Boadi, Justice Ayitey Armah-Tetteh, and Justice Jennifer Anne Myers Ahmed.
The remaining appointments include Justice John Bosco Nabarese, Justice Kwasi Anokye Gyimah, Justice Richmond Osei Hwere, Justice Apangano Achibonga, Justice Charity Akosua Asem, Justice Enyonam Adinyira, Justice Shiela Minta, Justice Bridget Kafui Antonio, and Justice Franklina Gesila Adanu.
President John Dramani Mahama reiterated that justice is not a luxury but the foundation on which Ghana’s wider national aspirations are built.
“Justice is not a luxury, it’s a foundation,” he said, drawing a link between a strong judiciary and his administration’s ambitious policy programmes, including the 24-hour economy and the big push infrastructure agenda.
The swearing-in of the 21 new justices marks a significant expansion of the Court of Appeal, reinforcing the judiciary’s capacity to handle the growing demand for justice in the country.
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