Accra, May 14, GNA- President John Agyekum Kufuor on Friday asked Judges in the Superior Courts of Judicature to support the leadership in their efforts to cleanse the Judicial Service and improve its image. He said " I expect you to do everything to support the Chief Justice and the leadership to cleanse and improve the image of the Judiciary".

President Kufuor made the call when he administered the oath of allegiance to nine Judges of the Superior Courts of Judicature at the Castle, Osu.

The Chief Justice, Mr Justice George Kingsley Acquah administered the Judicial Oath.

They were Justice Professor Tawia Modibo Ocran, Dean's Research Professor of Law at the University of Akron, Ohio, USA, to the Supreme Court.

Two judges appointed to the Court of Appeal were, Mrs Justice Georgina Kusi-Appouh and Mr Justice Richard Kodjo Apaloo.

Six Judges appointed to the High Courts included Mrs Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, Mr Justice Isaac Lartey-Young and Mr Justice Anthony Oppong. The rest were, Mr Justice Henry Kwofie, Mr Justice Gbiel Simon Suurbarreh and Mr Justice Frederick Anyimah.

President Kufuor said although the remuneration of Judges was not the best, their peculiar responsibilities in the interpretation of the law and the sacrifices they made in the discharge of their responsibilities would succeed as distinguished justices.

He said: "If you allow the favouritism of man to take better part of you and temptations that come your way from the society, then you have failed. But when you dispense justice without fear, favour, affection or ill-will you will be seen as the best among the society in a developing country like ours."

President Kufuor, however, cautioned the judges that their work could be very slippery where they were not found wanting, adding " don't disappoint the nation and your high office you have accepted to serve". He said the integrity of the Judiciary had been called to question in the media and efforts should be made to address the situation. Justice Professor Ocran said the promotion of the judges indicated the acknowledgement of the public of their performance in the Judiciary. He was optimistic that they were joining the group of people who had the nation at heart and would work to justify the confidence reposed in them.

Justice Professor Ocran said the political and social systems remained stable but the law was used to improve the lives of the people through social change.

Present at the ceremony was Professor Alex A. Kwapong, Chairman of the Council of State and Papa Owusu Ankomah, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, 14 May 04