Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rt. Rev Professor Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mante, has charged Judges and Magistrates of Ghana to discharge their duties with impartiality, integrity, propriety, equality, competence and diligence at all times.

Delivering a sermon at the Cathedral Church of the Most Holy Trinity in Accra to commence the 62nd Legal Year of the Republic, Rt. Rev. Obiri Yeboah Mante said, without a quality justice delivery system the country will fail in all its development efforts.

The theme for the new legal year which starts today the 5th of October is: “Strengthening Access to Justice in our Courts and Making them more User-Friendly”.

In a written statement, Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo who led the Judiciary in the company of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice Gloria Akuffo, the Ghana Bar Association President, Anthony Forson and newly enrolled lawyers on the Ghanaian Bar said “Justice is not about its trappings but its utility and so we must do all we can to ensure that as many as need to use it are able to do so”.

“This charge falls squarely on each and every one. All of us must answer this call and resolve to make justice more accessible and easier to use for all our people” Justice Sophia Akuffo said.

Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo also called upon every Judge and Magistrate “to remain ever mindful that judicial integrity and competent execution of judicial function are what strengthen the Law and assure the effectiveness of Justice delivery” .

The Chief Justice ended her written speech by indicating that it is her hope that after she has concluded her tenure of leadership before the legal year ends, “the vision embedded in the theme will continue to grow and bear fruitful results.

“I will continue to give my support whenever I am needed and I ask for your support and equal commitment. I am confident that we can work together regardless of whoever is at the helm of affairs to make this possible” Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo said.