Kumasi, June 30, GNA- A Memorial Service was on Monday organized by the Ashanti Regional branch of the Ghana Bar Association to mark the 26th Martyr's day celebration in Kumasi.

The day was in remembrance of the abduction and gruesome murder of three High Court Judges and a retired Army Officer namely, Mr Justice Fred Poku Sarkodie, Mrs Justice Cecilia Koranteng Addow, Mr Justice Kwadwo Agyei Agyepong and Major Acquah on July 1, 1982 Right Reverend Nuh Ben Abubekr, Bishop of the Kumasi Diocese of the Methodist Church, preaching the sermon at the Wesley Cathedral at Adum in Kumasi, emphasized the need for Judges to be courageous in the dispensation of justice in the country. He noted that the country had for the past 16 years strived to ensure democracy and hoped that would be sustained to ensure the accelerated development of Ghana.

Right Rev Abubekr reminded them on the need to maintain the Independence of the Judiciary, especially from the other arms of government, the Legislature and the Executive. The Bishop said "the judiciary does not have the rod of chastisement for the Executive and that it has to be good in maintaining the good of society in general" and asked them to avoid bribery and corruption in the performance of their duties. The Bishop advised them to be faithful to God in the discharge of their duties so that, He would give them the necessary protection and guidance at all times.

On the impending elections, Right Rev Abubekr called on the Judiciary to handle all election petitions with dispatch so that the results would be acceptable to the people.

Mr Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu-Ansah, Ashanti Regional Minister, said the occasion was to draw inspiration from the sacrifices of the martyr's in order to re-dedicate themselves to the cherished goals and principles of democracy and the rule of law, which they stood for and died for. He also said the occasion was to send signals to the perpetrators and their cohorts that, that heinous crime could not be easily erased from the memories of the people of the country and their bereaved families.

Mr Owusu-Ansah noted that "as judges and lawyers, we have a more urgent call to aspire to reach the heights, which our departed compatriots reached".

The Regional Minister on behalf of the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council sympathized with bereaved families of the departed souls and hoped they would be remembered as the pillars of freedom and justice and the rule of law.