New Supreme Court Justices pledge to uphold Constitution, administer justice without fear or favour

Three newly sworn-in Justices of Ghana’s Supreme Court have pledged to uphold the Constitution and laws of Ghana and administer justice without fear, favour, affection or ill-will.

Speaking on behalf of her colleagues, Justice Sophia Rosetta Oduokouan Bernasko-Essah described judicial office as a sacred public trust and reaffirmed the commitment of the new Justices to serve the Ghanaian people with independence, fairness and integrity.

The three Justices are Justice Sophia Rosetta Oduokouan Bernasko-Essah, Justice Edward Amoako Asante and Justice Anthony Forson Jr.

Justice Bernasko-Essah said the solemn oaths taken by the new members of the Supreme Court would guide them in the exercise of their judicial responsibilities. A few moments ago we took solemn oaths to uphold the Constitution and the laws of Ghana and to administer justice without fear or favour, affection or ill-will,” she said.

She stressed that the oath was not merely a ceremonial requirement but a commitment that would inform every case the Justices hear and every judgment they deliver.

According to her, the new Justices recognise the importance of judicial independence and the responsibility that comes with exercising judicial authority.

Justice Bernasko-Essah said the Justices would strive to remain independent in their decision-making while ensuring that their judgments are firmly grounded in the law.

We shall be independent enough to decide according to law, courageous enough to do so when the decision is difficult, and humble enough always to remember that judicial authority is exercised not for our own benefit but in service to the people in whom sovereignty lies and for whom justice is dispensed,” she said.

She said the three Justices were conscious of the trust placed in them and would approach their responsibilities with courage, humility and integrity.

Their pledge comes with the Supreme Court serving as Ghana’s highest judicial authority, where decisions can have significant implications for constitutional governance, individual rights and the administration of justice.

Justice Bernasko-Essah further assured the Ghanaian public that the three Justices would approach every case with fairness and impartiality.

She said they would decide cases according to the law and remain committed to the Constitution and the judicial oaths they had taken.

To the people of Ghana, in whose name justice is administered, we make this pledge: We will hear every case with fairness and impartiality; we will decide according to law; we will act with courage and integrity; and we will remain faithful to the Constitution and to the oaths we have sworn,” she said.

The pledge underscores the Justices’ commitment to the principles of judicial independence, impartiality and constitutionalism as they begin their service on the Supreme Court.

The three newly sworn-in Justices are Justice Sophia Rosetta Oduokouan Bernasko-Essah, Justice Edward Amoako Asante and Justice Anthony Forson Jr.

Their appointment expands the membership of Ghana’s apex court and adds three new judicial voices to the institution responsible for interpreting the Constitution and providing final judicial determination on matters within its jurisdiction.

The Justices are expected to bring their legal experience and judicial expertise to the Supreme Court while upholding the principles contained in their oaths of office.