By Jessica Korkor Oman
President John Dramani Mahama has urged three newly sworn-in Supreme Court justices to uphold judicial independence and deliver clear, well-reasoned judgments that strengthen public confidence in Ghana’s justice system.
He said judicial independence was not a privilege for judges but a protection for citizens, ensuring that their rights were determined fairly, particularly in difficult, unpopular or politically sensitive cases.
According to the President, judicial independence must be matched by “extreme clarity” in the delivery of judgments to provide dependable guidance to lower courts, public institutions, legal practitioners and citizens.
“Clear and well-reasoned judgments strengthen the law and promote respect and trust in the judicial process,” he said.
President Mahama made the remarks at the swearing-in ceremony of the three new Supreme Court justices at Jubilee House on Thursday, September 10, 2026.
The new justices are Justice Sophia Rosetta Bernasko Essah, Justice Edward Amoako Asante and Justice Anthony Forson Jnr.
The President said the three justices brought diverse professional and judicial experiences that would strengthen the work of the Supreme Court.
He said Justice Sophia Rosetta Bernasko Essah’s elevation recognised the competence, discipline and dedication she had demonstrated throughout her judicial career.
He added that her extensive experience on the bench and familiarity with Ghana’s domestic judicial system would contribute to the determination of cases and the continued development of Ghanaian jurisprudence.
Justice Edward Amoako Asante, the President said, brought considerable national and regional judicial experience to the Supreme Court, having served as a Justice of the Court of Appeal and former President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice.
He noted that Justice Asante’s experience at the regional court had exposed him to issues involving regional integration, treaty obligations, human rights, and the relationship between domestic and international law.
President Mahama said the combination of national appellate experience and regional adjudication would provide a valuable perspective to the Supreme Court’s deliberations.
On Justice Anthony Forson Jnr, the President said his experience in private legal practice, coupled with his institutional experience from leading the Ghana Bar Association, would bring practical insights to the work of the Court.
He said the complementary experiences of the three justices should deepen the Court’s deliberations and contribute to the continued development of Ghanaian law.
