President John Dramani Mahama has sworn in new Justices of the Court of Appeal, urging them to uphold integrity, courage, and humility in their service to the nation.

Speaking at the presidency during the swearing-in ceremony, Mr Mahama described the event as more than a formal ritual, but a “renewal of the covenant between the judiciary and the Ghanaian people”.

He stressed that the Court of Appeal played a critical role as “the people’s court of renewal,” where errors were corrected, injustices reversed, and confidence in the justice system restored.

“For many Ghanaians, the Court of Appeal is often the last hope for justice, when all other avenues have been exhausted. The authority you assume today is not only legal, but profoundly moral,” President Mahama said.

Acknowledging public criticism of the judiciary in recent years, he noted that such scrutiny should not be seen as a loss of faith but rather as evidence that “justice still matters, and verdicts have meaning in people’s lives”.

He emphasised that the judiciary must prove in word and deed that justice was not influenced by wealth, status, or political convenience.

The president also outlined reforms contained in the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) 2024 manifesto, including digitisation of court processes, the creation of specialised divisions to speed up land, labour, and commercial disputes, the expansion of legal aid, and the strengthening of judicial ethics and accountability.

“To our new justices, I say: let your judgments not silence criticism but inspire confidence. Let them reassure Ghanaians that while we may debate outcomes, we can never doubt your integrity, impartiality, and fidelity to the Constitution,” he said.

President Mahama charged the judges to carry out their duties with courage to resist political or financial pressure, integrity to ensure justice cannot be bought or delayed, and humility to remember that judicial power is given not to rule, but to serve the people.

President Mahama concluded with a call for the judiciary to be “custodians of hope” and to restore public confidence in the nation’s democratic pillars.

“Every ruling you make can remind citizens that Ghana is still a land where truth prevails and justice is not for sale,” he said.

See the names of the newly inaugurated Justices of the Court of Appeal below:

* His Lordship Justice Justin Kofi Dorgu

* His Lordship Justice Daniel Mensah (Dormaahene)

* His Lordship Justice George Buadi

* Her Ladyship Justice Olivia Obeng Owusu

* His Lordship Justice John Bosco Nabarese

* Her Ladyship Justice Jennifer Anne Myers Ahmed

* His Lordship Justice Emmanuel Senyo Amedahe

* His Lordship Justice Kwasi Anokye Gyimah

* His Lordship Justice Dr Richmond Osei-Hwere

* His Lordship Justice Francis Apangano Achibonga

* His Lordship Justice Ali Baba Abature

* Her Ladyship Justice Abena Asuamah Oppong

* Her Ladyship Justice Mariama Sammo

* Her Ladyship Justice Mary Maame Ekua Yanzuh

* His Lordship Justice Ayitey Armah-Tetteh

* Her Ladyship Justice Charity Akosua Asem

* Her Ladyship Justice Enyonam Adinyira

* Her Ladyship Justice Sheila Minta

* His Lordship Justice Douglas Seidu

* His Lordship Justice Charles Adjei Wilson

* Mrs Franklina Gesila Adanu