Defend the Constitution at all times – President Mahama urges Supreme Court justices

President John Dramani Mahama has charged newly appointed Supreme Court justices to make the Constitution their ultimate guide and defend it at all times as they discharge their judicial responsibilities.

The President made the call on Thursday, September 10, 2026, when he swore in three new Justices of the Supreme Court — Justice Sophia Rosetta Bernasko-Essah, Justice Edward Amoako Asante and private legal practitioner Anthony Forson Jnr.

‘Your oath is consequential, not ceremonial’

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony at the Jubilee House, President Mahama stressed that the Supreme Court occupies a critical position in Ghana’s constitutional democracy as the country’s highest judicial authority.

He said decisions of the Court have far-reaching consequences because they give meaning to the Constitution, settle matters of national importance and contribute to the development of Ghana’s laws.

President Mahama therefore urged the new justices to approach their duties with integrity, sound judgment, intellectual courage, patience and an unwavering commitment to justice.

He emphasised that the oath taken by the justices was not merely a formality but a solemn commitment to the people of Ghana.

“The oath you have taken today is consequential, not ceremonial. It is a solemn covenant with the people of Ghana.”

He further reminded them of their responsibility to administer justice without fear or favour, affection or ill-will, while defending the Constitution at all times.

Mahama stresses judicial independence

The President also underscored the importance of judicial independence, insisting that Ghanaians must have confidence that cases brought before the Supreme Court will be determined fairly, independently and strictly according to the law.

According to him, the legitimacy and authority of the Supreme Court should derive from public confidence and trust rather than political influence or the exercise of power.

“The authority of the Court does not rest on force or political power. It rests on the confidence and trust of the people,” President Mahama said.

He said this confidence can only be sustained when citizens are assured that their cases will be handled without political interference or external influence.

Constitution must remain the compass

President Mahama’s charge is consistent with the judicial oath prescribed under Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, which requires Supreme Court justices to perform their functions without fear or favour, affection or ill-will and to uphold, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and laws of Ghana.

He consequently urged the newly sworn-in justices to let the Constitution guide their decisions and to carry out their duties with humility, courage and fairness.

The President also called on the Judiciary to continue pursuing reforms aimed at improving efficiency, embracing appropriate technology and making justice more accessible to ordinary Ghanaians.

The appointment of the three justices comes at a time when public confidence, judicial independence and constitutional governance remain central to discussions about Ghana’s democracy.

For President Mahama, the message to the new members of the apex court is clear: the Constitution must come first, and justice must be administered without fear or favour.