Judicial service employees in the Northern Region have been cautioned to stay away from party politics in order not to erode the public trust in the judiciary. The Supervising High Court Judge for the Northern Region, Justice Lawrence Ladzagla Mensah, who gave the caution, explained that it was unwise for staff of the service to openly partake in party politics. He said the demeanour of both judges or magistrates and the auxiliary staff contributed to determining how the public perceived the sanctity of the service. "If you are a court clerk or a registrar and you publicly show your support for a particular party or cause, it could make people misinterpret decisions taken by the presiding judge in matters relating to the party or other group," he warned. Justice Mensah was speaking to members of the bench and supporting staff of the Judicial Service during the launch of the Code of Conduct governing the service in the Northern Region. The event took place on the premises of the Tamale High Court and was patronised by members of the bench, Judicial Service staff, chiefs and other representative groups in the region. Even though the code recognises that the Constitution guarantees the rights of citizens to belong to any political party or association of choice, it nonetheless demands that those in the Judiciary should exercise this right tactfully. For instance, the code debars all employees of the service from accepting any office, whether they will be paid or unpaid, permanent or temporary, in any political party or organisation. It also prohibits them from declaring publicly, their support for any party, candidate or policy, including the carrying of party banners, flags or memorabilia. Apart from political involvement, the code also has guidelines on how employees should conduct their duties, avoid conflict of interest, avoid abuse of their positions and maintain confidentiality. Justice Mensah noted that the code was a comprehensive one that touched on all facets of the work of the Judicial Service staff and members of the Bench, both in and out of court, adding that anyone who flouts the code would be liable to sanctions. He said prior to the introduction of this code, employees were governed by the Judicial Service Regulations (LI 318). The Northern Regional Minister, Mr Moses Bukari Mabengba, in a speech read on his behalf, admonished the staff and members of the Bench not to neglect the code of conduct when performing their duties. "Please do not lock it up in your cabinets or leave it on the shelves; it is your Bible and Qur'an, so always read and abide by its contents, otherwise its relevance would not be felt," he cautioned. Mr Mabengba observed that the code, if adhered to, would instil public confidence in the professionalism and independence of the Judiciary. The chairman for the launch was Mr Mohammed Alhassan, a renowned legal practitioner in the region. Source: Daily Graphic