The Chief Justice, Mrs Justice Georgina Theodora Wood, has advised judges to use their judicial authority in a manner that will advance the progress of the country.
She urged them to give priority attention to their fundamental roles as staunch defenders of the rule of law and protectors of the rights and freedoms of Ghanaians.
�I would thus urge you to bear in mind at all times that the office of a judge is not about titles nor the prestige, honour or pomp that goes with the position. It is not about bench wigs and gowns. While these add respect, dignity, honour and, indeed, colour to the office, it must be plain to all and sundry that they can never be described as the core values,� she noted.
Mrs Justice Wood gave the advice at the swearing-in ceremony of four Circuit Court judges and five magistrates at the Chief Justice�s Court in Accra Thursday.
The Circuit Court judges are Yaw Owoahene Acheampong, Ebenezer Osei Darko, Gabriel Mate Teye and Lydia Osei Marfo, while the magistrates are Franklin Titus-Glover, Mavis Ekua Enyamah Kwainoe, Nana Brew, Kwabena Ofedie and Williams Baffoe.
They all took the Oath of Allegiance, the Judicial Oath and the Oath of Secrecy which were administered by Mr Justice William Atuguba and Professor Justice Samuel Date-Bah, both Justices of the Supreme Court.
The swearing-in ceremony followed the passing of a rigorous examination and interviews by the new judges and magistrates to earn a place on the Bench.
Three of the Circuit Court judges were promoted from the position of magistrate, with the other one being appointed from the Bar, while all the five magistrates were appointed from the Bar.
The Chief Justice said she had no doubt that the new appointees were bringing to the Bench �an enviable record of demonstrable integrity, elements of which include honesty, a high moral character in both professional and personal life and an unwavering commitment to the time-honoured principle of equal justice under the law�.
She said inasmuch as the life of a judge or magistrate was not an easy one, Ghanaians would expect them to administer justice without fear or favour, affection or ill will.
Mrs Justice Wood reminded the appointees of their constitutional mandate under Article 125 of the 1992 Constitution which provides:
�Justice emanates from the people and shall be administered in the name of the Republic by the Judiciary�.�
�The position you are taking on today admits of no tardiness. One of the sacrifices you can offer to this nation is to be hardworking and resourceful. This implies being innovative and creative; of course, within the bounds of legality, and making optimum use of the time and resources that may be placed at your disposal,� she told them.
<<Print>>