President Nana Akufo-Addo has charged newly sworn in Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo to ensure that judges do not deliver verdicts on court cases arbitrarily.

Mr Akufo Addo stated that “the situation where judges proffer judgements on the basis of decisions from lower courts and cite them as law is not acceptable and even less so when judges cite no authority at all for their ruling and give orders without reason”.

He made the remarks during the swearing-in ceremony of the new Chief Justice as he charged her to ensure that Ghanaians gain maximum trust in the judiciary.

“It is critical for the growth of our country that we have a judiciary that commands the respect of the people by the nature of its delivery of justice as well as by the comportment of its judges,” he said, adding: “It is vitally important that we have judges who are honest, possess integrity and a sound knowledge of the law.”

He emphasised that judges in the country must be learned, abreast of their case law and ensure that “judgements are properly motivated”.

Justice Akuffo takes over from Justice Georgina Wood who retired recently.