
President John Dramani Mahama has sworn in a new cohort of Justices to Ghana’s Supreme Court, calling the moment “a beacon of hope” and a critical step in restoring public trust in the judiciary and the wider governance framework.

The ceremony, held at the Jubilee House on Thursday, July 3, drew an audience of distinguished dignitaries, including members of the Council of State, the Acting Chief Justice, Justices of the Supreme Court, and members of the diplomatic corps.
In his address, the President congratulated the newly appointed justices, describing their elevation as a “rare and distinguished calling” and a “high constitutional trust” that places them at the heart of Ghana’s ongoing democratic and institutional renewal.
“You inherit the robe of honour and the weight of a nation’s expectations. Wear it with wisdom. Interpret the law not just as it is, but as it ought to be alive to context and sensitive to the lived realities of the Ghanaian people,” he said.
The President’s remarks framed the judicial appointments within the broader framework of his administration’s “Ghana Reset Agenda”—a reformist vision aimed at rebuilding public institutions on the principles of equity, transparency, and justice.
He emphasized that rebuilding confidence in the judiciary was essential to restoring the public’s faith in democracy itself.
“Ghanaians are looking not only to the executive for leadership, but also to the judiciary for assurance that the laws of this land still work for all of us,” he said.
“The erosion of public trust in our state institutions reflects a crisis of confidence that must be addressed with truth and urgency.”
President Mahama acknowledged the growing public scrutiny of the judiciary and admitted that perceptions of delay, inaccessibility, and inequality before the law have damaged trust. But he also insisted that the moment provides an opportunity for institutional rebirth.
“As Justices of this noble institution, you are called not merely to interpret the law, but to embody its highest ideals—fairness, impartiality, integrity, and courage,” he urged.
The President laid out a suite of reform priorities under the Reset Agenda, which includes digitalizing court processes, improving judicial infrastructure, expanding legal aid and public defender services, enhancing judicial ethics and training, and deepening collaboration with civil society.
“A reformed and revitalized Ghana must rest on the firm foundation of a credible, independent and efficient justice system,” he declared, adding that the judiciary should no longer be a passive bystander in nation building but an “active guarantor of rights” and a “check on the excesses of power.”
He also expressed high hopes for the forthcoming report of the H. Kwesi Prempeh Constitutional Review Committee, due in August, which he believes will further shape a judiciary that is “more effective and just.”
“An independent judiciary is not a threat to government. It is a partner in nation building,” he stated. “We need justices who are not swayed by popularity or pressure, but are anchored in the Constitution and driven by a genuine desire to uphold justice.”
In his closing remarks, the President urged the new justices to let “conscience be your compass, the Constitution your guide, and the people of Ghana your constant reminder of the power and purpose of the law.”
The post Mahama Tells Supreme Court Judges: Interpret The Law Not Just As It Is, But As It Ought To Be appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.
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