President Nana Akufo-Addo has pledged his commitment towards ensuring that rule of law and justice prevails in the country.

He said he will be “a genuine entrusted partner of our judiciary so that together the Executive and Judiciary can cooperate in a spirit of mutual respect to attain this goal for the benefit of our nation”.

Nana Akufo-Addo made the remarks at the Flagstaff House on Friday, 12 May when he announced his nomination of Justice Sophia Akuffo as the next Chief Justice.

Mr Akufo-Addo emphasised that the government of the New Patriotic Party was “determined to build a new Ghanaian civilisation where the rule of law is not a slogan but operating principle for the symbol of our state”.

He said he wishes to see a country where “separation of powers is real and meaningful, where liberties and rights of our people is fully protected and where law and order provides a firm basis for our social and economic development”.

Justice Sophia Akuffo will replace Mrs Theodora Georgina Wood who retires on 8 June.

Mr Akufo-Addo was full of praise for her as he stated “she was my first junior in practice; she impressed me considerably with her hard work, independence of mind and spirit, honesty and integrity and deep-seated respect for the rule of law and abiding belief in the almighty God.”

He said Justice Akuffo is a “worthy successor to Chief Justice Wood” and expressed confidence that she would “uphold jealousy the independence of the judiciary.”

The President said he has no doubt that “I will find a worthy collaborator in Justice Sophia Akuffo” in ensuring that the judiciary is respectable and allowed to operate independently with discipline.