President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has sworn in 16 persons to the Courts of Appeal in response to challenges of an overburdened court system in the country.

They are Justices Charles Gyemfi Danquah, Gifty Dokyen, Kofi Akrowuah, Richard Mac Kogyapwah, Kwasi Boakye, Alexander Osei Tutu, Francis Obiri and Lydia Osei Marfo.

The rest are Justices Aboagye Tandoh, Mariam Agyemang Gyasi Jawhary, Yaa Onyameye Gyakobo, Francis Koffie, Charles William Leopold Bartels Zwennes, Barima Yaw Kodie Oppong, David Kwabena Adede Boafo and Dr Poku Adusei.

President Akufo-Addo administered three oaths -- the Oath of Office, Oath of Secrecy and Judicial Oath -- to the 16 justices comprised of 12 men and four women. The President said that the Chief Justice decided, with the support of the Judicial Council, to establish permanent panels of the Court of Appeal in five locations across the country.

The locations are Sekondi, which will cater for appeals from the Central and Western regions; Koforidua for Eastern, Volta and Oti regions; Kumasi for Ahafo, Bono West, Bono East, Western North and Ashanti regions.

The Accra Court of Appeal will cater for cases from the Greater Accra Region, while Tamale will take care of the Upper West, Upper East, North East, Savannah and Northern regions through a virtual link in the Kumasi Court of Appeal.

The event was attended by family and friends of the justices, as well as the leadership of the bench and the Bar.

Retirement

President Akufo-Addo also said that four Justices of the Appeal Court had retired by virtue of attaining the statutory retirement age, while Justice Alex Poku-Achampong was also due for retirement in October this year.

“These new Justices of Appeal are, thus, being appointed to arm the judiciary with the necessary tools to expedite the delivery of justice across the nation, which is clearly in the public interest,” he added.

Significance

President Akufo-Addo said that the Court of Appeal was a vital part of the judicial system, being the first step on the ladder of the appellate structure, with the Supreme Court being the second and apex court.

He said it served as a crucial avenue for ensuring that the law was correctly applied and that errors made in lower courts were reviewed and rectified.

The President also said that decisions made in the court of appeal resonated throughout the legal system and had far-reaching implications for the lives of individuals and for the development of the nation.

“If the court does its work well, most appeals should end there without the issues of having to travel to the Supreme Court,” he added.
 

Task

President Akufo-Addo further reminded the judges that the task before them was not an easy one and that the decisions they made would have an impact not only on the parties before them, but also on the broader society.

“You will be called upon to interpret complex legal issues, determine disputes and at times make difficult decisions that may not always be popular. 

“It is a role that requires not just legal expertise, but also a deep sense of justice, empathy and a resolve to maintaining the highest ethical standards,” he said. President Akufo-Addo further said that it was important to have judges who were honest, possess integrity, and a sound knowledge of the law, adding “as justices of appeal, I do not expect that you'll prefer judgments on the basis of decisions from lower courts and cite them as law”.

He urged them to approach their duties with humility, integrity and a deep sense of responsibility, and reminded them that the power they wield as a judges was not for personal gains or aggrandisement, but for service to the people.

“Every decision you make should be guided by the principles of fairness, justice, and the rule of law. You have the profound obligation of ensuring that our judiciary remains a beacon of hope for the citizenry and a pillar of strength for our democracy,” President Akufo-Addo said.