President John Dramani Mahama has urged three newly appointed Supreme Court justices to protect public confidence in Ghana’s judiciary by upholding the Constitution and delivering justice without fear, favour or outside influence.
He said the strength of the Supreme Court ultimately depended not on political authority or institutional power, but on the trust Ghanaians placed in its decisions.
President Mahama made the remarks on Thursday, September 10, 2026, when he swore in Justice Sophia Rosetta Oduokouan Bernasko-Essah, Justice Edward Amoako Asante and Anthony Fawson Jr, popularly known as Tony Fawson, after Parliament approved their appointments.
Congratulating the three justices, the President described service on the Supreme Court as one of the highest responsibilities in Ghana’s constitutional democracy.
He reminded them that their decisions could directly affect the rights, freedoms and lives of citizens, and therefore must be based solely on the law and evidence.
“The authority of the Court does not rest on force or political power. It rests on the confidence and trust of the people,” President Mahama said.
He said the varied backgrounds of the new justices would bring valuable experience to the country’s highest court.
Justice Bernasko-Essah, who previously served on the Court of Appeal, was recognised for her extensive judicial experience and understanding of the practical administration of justice.
President Mahama said her elevation reflected her competence, discipline and commitment to the judiciary, urging her to use that experience to promote consistency and clarity in Ghanaian law and contribute to the development of jurisprudence.
Justice Asante was also commended for combining experience within Ghana’s judiciary with regional legal expertise gained during his tenure as President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice.
According to President Mahama, his work at the regional court exposed him to complex issues involving human rights, regional integration, treaty obligations and the interaction between domestic and international law.
He expressed confidence that this experience would add an important perspective to the deliberations of the Supreme Court.
For Fawson, the President highlighted his decades of private legal practice and his previous leadership of the Ghana Bar Association.
He noted that moving from representing clients and arguing cases to deciding disputes as a judge would require a different mindset.
President Mahama urged him to rise above competing interests and determine cases according to the law, the evidence and the demands of justice.
The President also reaffirmed his commitment to judicial independence, describing it not as a privilege for judges but as a safeguard for ordinary citizens.
He stressed that an independent judiciary was particularly important when the courts were dealing with politically sensitive cases or matters involving influential individuals and institutions.
At the same time, he said judicial independence must be matched by accountability, discipline and a firm commitment to the judicial oath.
“The oath you are taking today is consequential, not ceremonial,” he told the new justices.
He reminded them of their duty to administer justice without fear, favour, affection or ill will while protecting and upholding the Constitution.
President Mahama further raised concerns about delays in the justice delivery system, warning that prolonged cases and repeated adjournments could gradually undermine public confidence in the courts.
He encouraged the judiciary to continue reforms aimed at improving efficiency and access to justice, including the appropriate use of technology.
According to him, access to justice should not depend on a person’s financial position, social status or geographical location.
He said the effectiveness of Ghana’s justice system should ultimately be measured by how fairly and efficiently citizens are able to obtain justice.
The President said the three new justices were assuming office at an important time, with the Supreme Court continuing to play a central role in protecting constitutional rights, maintaining the separation of powers and upholding the principle that no individual or institution is above the law.
He expressed confidence that their combined experience in the judiciary, regional legal practice and private practice would enrich the Court and contribute to the continued development of Ghana’s constitutional and legal system.
