President John Dramani Mahama has reiterated his firm commitment to ensuring the independence of Ghana’s judiciary, calling it a constitutional necessity that safeguards the rights of all citizens, including the President himself.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as the new Chief Justice at Jubilee House in Accra on Monday, November 17, 2025, President Mahama emphasized that the judiciary must remain autonomous and respected.
“An independent judiciary is not a favor to the courts. It is a constitutional necessity and a protection for every citizen, including the President,” he said. “We must therefore jealously safeguard the institutional, financial, and administrative autonomy of our courts. Decisions of our courts, whether we agree or not, whether popular or unpopular, must be respected and enforced. This is the bedrock of the rule of law.”
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He urged the Chief Justice to strengthen integrity within the judiciary through firm but fair disciplinary standards, transparent case management, and strong mechanisms to address allegations of misconduct. “Our citizens must know and feel that justice in Ghana is not for sale. And that no one, regardless of their power or status, is too powerful or too humble to be held accountable under the law,” he added.
Highlighting the importance of timely, accessible, and affordable justice, President Mahama called on Justice Baffoe-Bonnie to collaborate with the Judicial Council and the Bar to reduce case backlogs, modernize court infrastructure, and adopt technology such as e-filing, virtual hearings, and digital recordings. “Justice must not only be fair, it must also be accessible, it must be timely, and it must be affordable,” he said.
President Mahama also reminded the judiciary of its critical role in protecting human rights and civil liberties, ensuring justice is not tilted in favor of the wealthy or powerful, and addressing key issues such as family welfare, land disputes, commercial disputes, environmental protection, and corruption.
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“I am confident that under your leadership, my Lord Chief Justice, the judiciary will continue to uphold its constitutional mandate without fear or favor, and as you said in your oath, without affection or ill will,” he added.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
