Let Me Reiterate That There Is No NPP Judge Or NDC Judge But Rather One Judiciary-GBA Boss Fumes

By Joseph Nana Yaw Cobbina

There is no training institute known as NPP judge or NDC Judge for anyone to tag a judge as NPP judge or NDC Judge, there is only one judiciary established under chapter 11 of the 1992 Constitution.

At a colourful event to remember the three high court judges who were abducted by the military on 30th June 1982.

Speaking at the remembrance service held in Accra, the President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), Mr Yaw Acheampong Boafo, has emphasised the need for improved safety and security of judges and the entire judiciary, particularly ahead of the 2024 general election.

According to him, Ghanaians cannot afford to witness such incidents and needs to deal with similar acts of threats, intimidation, violence, vigilantism, and lawlessness, which can affect the peace and stability of Ghana and our general cast to consolidate our democratic and economic development. Yet still, the marking of a day like this should serve as a constant reminder of the need for the state government, and the management of the judicial service to enhance the security and safety of judges at all levels of the judiciary.

He recounted the reflecting on recent incident in Kenya where a principal magistrate was fatally attacked in open court.

This reflection is a wake up call for Ghanaian authorities to learn from this tragic experience and fortify the protection of judicial officers before is too late.

Mr Acheampong also stressed that the inadequate security infrastructure in many Ghanaian courts, particularly at lower levels courts.

He cited the absence of court warrant offices and insufficient equipment as critical deficiencies jeopardising the safety of judges and court personnel.

According to him, some few years ago, Justice Senyo Dzamefe of the Court of Appeal, as then President of the Association of Judges and Magistrates of Ghana, made a call for the installation of circuit television cameras at the courts to ensure surveillance of criminals and unscrupulous persons who may want to target judges and other court users.

The GBA finds that thoughtful and implores upon government and management of the judicial service, that safe and secure judiciary is essential in ensuring that our judges and magistrates and court staff work and discharge their legal duties and go about the resolution of their cases without fear of favour and upholding the rule of law.

Mr Acheampong assured Ghanaian judges of unwavering solidarity and urged them to uphold the rule of law with integrity and professionalism. “Please continue to remain resolute and fearless in the discharge of judicial oath of doing justice to all manner of persons without fear or favour, or affection or ill will and with integrity, and professionalism.”

He called upon judges to resist undue influences and biases, pledging the GBA’s commitment to supporting their pursuit of justice by Ghana’s Constitution and laws.

The remembrance service honoured the sacrifices of the three judges who were killed in 1982 for defending the rule of law.

“30th June of every year since 1982 has always given us the opportunity to break with some of our ignominious past. Let us as a people resolve to pursue and sustain a path of peace, love for one another, mutual respect and tolerance for one another and eschew all acts of violence and lawlessness” he emphasis.