The Chief Justice, Mrs. Georgina Wood, has reminded judges that they are also accountable to the constitution and must, therefore, apply the law honestly and independently when they sit in judgement over people.
�To consolidate judicial integrity, we must understand that we, as judges and magistrates, are not above the law, we are subject to it,� she said.
The Chief Justice made these observations yesterday when she swore in three new Circuit Court judges and eight magistrates.
She stressed that �judicial transparency and accountability demands that indeed we should be the first to subject ourselves to the Constitution and the laws of this land and be ready to give a good account for our stewardship at all times.�
Justice Wood observed that the judiciary was working very hard to enhance public truest and confidence in the justice system, and hoped the new judges will contribute to realising �our vision for a strong, independent, efficient and credible judiciary.�
The Chief Justice said human rights institutions and advocates as well as meaning Ghanaians have condemned the manner the judiciary manages criminal cases and the many persons in remand custody in the over crowded prisons.
�They are also not happy with the painfully slow and frustrating pace at which we dispose of civil cases,� she said.
She told the new judges that, �We do not expect that you will pile up cases to frightening proportions and delay and thus deny justice to the good people of Ghana you have vowed to serve.
�We will provide you with the requisite judicial training to enable you to discharge you duties efficiently. We in turn, will be justified in closely monitoring your performance and applying the necessary sanctions when you fall below the expected professional standards.�
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