President Akufo-Addo called for greater transparency and accountability in the judiciary, stressing that public confidence is essential for the smooth functioning of the country’s democracy.
According to the President, public confidence in the judicial system can only be enhanced by demanding the highest standards of conduct from judges.
At a ceremony at Jubilee House, President Akufo-Addo administered the oath of allegiance, the judicial oath, and the oath of secrecy, calling on each judge to administer justice without fear, favour, affection, or ill will.
“The judiciary should be free from any external influence or interference of a political, economic, or social nature. Only by maintaining this independence can we be sure that justice will be administered impartially.
“We must continue to strive for greater transparency and accountability if the rights of all citizens are to be protected and the oath of judges to act without fear or favour is to be fulfilled. Public confidence in the judiciary is essential for a democracy to function effectively.
“It is therefore our duty to ensure that judicial proceedings are open and transparent and that judges are held to the highest standards of conduct.”
The President also called for innovative ways to address the backlog of cases in various courts, which he said are a major obstacle to the process.
“One of the biggest challenges we face is the need to resolve the backlog of cases that continues to burden the courts. As we already know, justice delayed is justice denied.” It is essential to find innovative solutions to expedite the resolution of cases and ensure that justice is served in a timely manner.
“This requires not only efficient case management but also the introduction of new technologies and procedures that can streamline the legal process.”
