President John Dramani Mahama has charged newly sworn-in High Court judges to uphold the highest standards of integrity in the discharge of their duties, saying that the legitimacy of the judiciary depends not only on its independence but also on public confidence in its fairness.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of the new judges to the high court on Thursday, October 23, at the Jubilee House, President Mahama reminded the judges that their authority rests on trust and integrity, not force or power.
“Judicial power is unique. It commands no army, it levies no taxes, and yet its words can free the innocent, restrain the powerful, and even correct the state itself,” he said.
“That is why integrity is not an ornament of your office; it is its very foundation. The law confers authority, but only integrity confers legitimacy.”
The President urged the judges to conduct themselves beyond reproach and to ensure that their actions and judgements reflect impartiality and fairness.
“Be incorruptible, not only in fact but also in perception. Let every citizen who appears before you believe that their fate rests solely on the evidence and the law, never on influence or connections,” he said.
President Mahama further linked justice to national development, noting that good governance, investor confidence and social stability all depend on a credible and efficient judicial system.
“Justice and development are not separate ideals; they are inseparable twins of the same mother. A nation that invests in infrastructure but neglects the rule of law builds its progress on shifting sands.”
He recalled an encounter with a foreign investor to highlight the importance of judicial credibility in national prosperity.
“An investor once told me, ‘Mr President, I can manage my investment risk, but I cannot manage the uncertainty of the courts.’ That simple statement captures the profound link between justice and prosperity.”
Touching on his administration’s broader economic goals, President Mahama said Ghana’s vision of the 24-hour economy and the Big Push infrastructure programme required a judiciary that was not only fair but facilitative.
“In this era, Ghana needs a judiciary that enforces contracts fairly, protects innovation, and delivers justice without undue delay.”
“Your judgments will shape not only our jurisprudence but also affect investor confidence, our human rights, and our national stability,” the President added.