Ghana’s Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has urged newly sworn in circuit court judges to discharge their duties with integrity, humility, and independence, stressing that judicial authority is a trust delegated by the people and must be exercised strictly in accordance with the Constitution and the law.
The newly sworn-in group consists of 40 magistrates who were promoted and 12 appointees from the Ghana Bar. Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony, the Chief Justice reminded the judges that their decisions extend far beyond the courtroom and have direct consequences for businesses, families, and entire communities.
He cautioned that the authority vested in judges is not self derived but flows from the sovereign will of the people, and therefore demands a heightened sense of responsibility and restraint.
According to him, every litigant who appears before a court arrives not merely with a legal claim but with hope. That hope, he said, is rooted in the expectation that justice will be done fairly, transparently, and without prejudice.
Judges must therefore be conscious of the human impact of their rulings and the confidence that citizens place in the judicial system. The Chief Justice identified integrity as the first and most critical pillar of judicial service.
He stressed that integrity must define both the public conduct and private lives of judges, warning that even the perception of impropriety can undermine confidence in the courts. Judges, he said, must avoid situations that compromise their impartiality or raise doubts about their independence.
Public trust in the judiciary, he noted, is fragile and painstakingly built over time. Any abuse of judicial authority, he cautioned, erodes that trust and weakens the very foundation of the rule of law.
Competence as an Essential Tool for Service
He emphasized that the legitimacy of the courts depends not only on the correctness of decisions but also on the character and conduct of those who dispense justice. Beyond integrity, the Chief Justice underscored competence as an essential requirement for effective judicial service.
He reminded the judges that the law is constantly evolving in response to social, economic, and political developments, making continuous learning a professional obligation rather than a choice. Judges, he said, must remain intellectually disciplined and well informed to meet the demands of a dynamic legal environment.
He encouraged the new judges to deliver decisions that are clear, coherent, and well reasoned, noting that judgments should not only resolve disputes but also explain the legal reasoning behind them. Such clarity, he explained, promotes transparency, enhances public understanding of the law, and strengthens confidence in the justice system.
Judicial independence, the Chief Justice said, forms the third enduring pillar of the bench. He urged judges to remain firm in the face of pressure, whether from litigants, lawyers, public opinion, or persons in positions of authority. Independence of the judiciary, he explained, means deciding cases solely on the basis of the law and the evidence, without fear, favor, or external influence.
He cautioned that independence must be exercised with courage and discipline, adding that judges must resist attempts to sway their decisions through intimidation, persuasion, or popular sentiment. True independence, he said, is demonstrated when judges uphold the law even in difficult or unpopular cases.
Role of ICT in Justice Delivery
The Chief Justice also highlighted the growing role of information and communication technology in the administration of justice. He noted that modern court systems increasingly rely on digital tools to improve efficiency, reduce delays, and enhance access to justice. He urged the judges to embrace technological innovations responsibly as part of efforts to modernize court operations.
According to him, the effective use of technology can strengthen transparency and case management, but must always be guided by professionalism and respect for due process. Judges, he said, should familiarize themselves with emerging digital platforms and apply them in ways that reinforce public confidence in the courts.
The swearing in of the new circuit court judges comes at a time when expectations for accountability, efficiency, and fairness in public institutions remain high. The judiciary, as a central pillar of democratic governance, continues to face close scrutiny from the public, civil society, and the legal community.
In concluding his address, Chief Justice Baffoe Bonnie reminded the judges that judicial office is not merely a position of authority but a calling to serve society. He expressed confidence that if they remain anchored in integrity, competence, and independence, they will contribute meaningfully to the delivery of justice and the strengthening of the rule of law.
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