Justice George Arkins Ampiah Bonney has defended the integrity of Ghana’s judiciary, insisting the courts remain guided by equity and faith despite human weaknesses and external pressures.
Speaking on Starr FM’s Kingdom Talk Series with Nana Asiedu, the judge acknowledged that temptation exists across society but argued that challenges in religious leadership can be even more intense.
“Temptations are at all levels. I’ll tell you the temptations not to do right in ministry is much more than the temptations to do wrong at the public service,” he said.
Justice Bonney noted that influential church members sometimes attempt to sway ministers to ignore wrongdoing, describing it as a test of integrity similar to pressures faced in public institutions.
He traced the foundation of equity law to religious traditions, explaining that early clergy played a major role in shaping how justice was administered.
“The judiciary and the bedrock of it, the law of equity, was a group of clergy… who were trying to regulate law by way of bringing justice,” he said.
While describing the judiciary as “a saintly place,” he admitted that judges are human and can be influenced.
“Everywhere humans are a bit corrupted… Be human, be fallible. And it is easy for you to be influenced,” he stated.
However, he stressed that Ghana’s judicial structure makes it difficult for wrongdoing to go unchecked, pointing to the appeal process as a safeguard for dissatisfied litigants.
“If one feels wrong and dissatisfied, he goes to the Court of Appeal,” he said, citing the multiple layers from the District Court up to the Supreme Court.
Justice Bonney also noted that court outcomes will always leave one side unhappy.
“Anybody who comes to the court of law, one will lose. One will win. The winner will be happy. The loser will not be happy,” he added.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Barbara Yeboah
