President John Mahama has sworn in 21 High Court Judges as Justices of the Court of Appeal, charging them to uphold integrity, fairness, and renew public confidence in the judiciary.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony held at the Jubilee House on Thursday, October 2, the President said the occasion was not just a formality but a reaffirmation of the judiciary’s bond with the Ghanaian people.

“This is not merely a ceremony of robes and oaths. It is a renewal of the covenant between us and the Ghanaian people in whom the sovereign power lies. For when citizens walk into the courts of this nation, they do not simply seek judgments.

"They seek hope, hope that the law will protect them, hope that their rights will be respected, and hope that their voices will be heard. And today, as we swear you in, we are renewing that hope in our people,” he said.

President Mahama described the Court of Appeal as the “People’s Court” and reminded the new Justices of the profound responsibility they carry.

“The Court of Appeal is often the last hope for justice when all other avenues have been exhausted, and that is why the authority you assume today is not only legal but profoundly moral.

"You hold in your hands the power to heal wounds, to restore confidence, and to guide our nation towards fairness,” he told them.

He acknowledged that in recent times the judiciary has faced harsh public criticism, but insisted that such criticism should be viewed positively.

“Criticisms of judgments are not the end of hope. They are the evidence of hope. It shows that Ghanaians still believe in the courts, that justice still matters and that verdicts have meaning in their lives,” the President said.

President Mahama also warned against cynicism, urging the courts to demonstrate through their actions that justice is not reserved for the wealthy or politically connected.

“What we must guard against is cynicism, the corrosive belief that the courts no longer serve the people but only the powerful in society. To rebuild trust, our courts must demonstrate in word and deed that justice is not compromised by status, wealth or political convenience.

"So to you, our new Justices, I say: let your judgments not silence criticism but inspire confidence in our people. Let your judgments reassure Ghanaians that while we may debate outcomes, we can never doubt your integrity, your impartiality, and your fidelity to the national constitution,” he said.

Linking judicial reform to his wider national agenda, President Mahama said Ghana’s development must go beyond infrastructure and economic growth to include stronger democratic institutions and inclusivity.

“Our Reset Agenda is not only about rebuilding infrastructure or expanding the economy, it’s also about fostering a more inclusive society. It is also about renewing our institutions, restoring the faith of our people in the pillars of our democracy,” he explained.

He added that swift and transparent justice would be central to this renewal and pointed to his party’s pledge to pursue reforms that will make the justice system more accessible.

“A judiciary that delivers swift, fair and transparent justice is a cornerstone of this reset that we talk about, and that is why the NDC 2024 manifesto commits us to reforms that will make justice more efficient and accessible to our people,” President Mahama said.