Justice Tanko Amadu urges judges to protect judicial independence
Justice Tanko Amadu, who also serves as Director of the Judicial Training Institute, said these principles were constitutional safeguards for citizens and should never be viewed as personal privileges for members of the bench.
A Justice of the Supreme Court has urged judges across Ghana to remain steadfast in protecting the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary.
Justice Tanko Amadu, who also serves as Director of the Judicial Training Institute, said these principles were constitutional safeguards for citizens and should never be viewed as personal privileges for members of the bench.
He noted that the strength of Ghana’s democracy depended heavily on the ability of the judiciary to carry out its constitutional responsibilities independently, competently and with integrity.
According to him, public confidence in the justice system is shaped daily by the decisions judges make and the standards they uphold in their conduct.
Justice Amadu made the remarks at the opening of a two-day training programme in Accra focused on the rule of law and judicial independence.
The programme was organised by the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa, Italy, in partnership with Ghana’s Judicial Training Institute, with funding from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Justice Amadu stressed that the rule of law must go beyond constitutional language or theory.
He said it represents the practical framework that ensures power is exercised lawfully, rights are protected without discrimination and justice is administered fairly.
He pointed out that the 1992 Constitution firmly places the rule of law at the centre of Ghana’s democratic governance and entrusts the judiciary with interpreting and enforcing constitutional provisions while safeguarding the rights and freedoms of citizens.
However, he added that judicial independence must operate alongside accountability, emphasising that public trust also depends on transparent systems for recruitment, discipline, performance evaluation and continued professional training.
Balancing these two principles, he said, remains one of the most complex responsibilities within modern constitutional governance.
Another Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Kweku Tawiah Ackaah-Boafo, highlighted the importance of ongoing education for judges.
He described judicial independence and the rule of law as fundamental pillars of democratic governance and said training programmes help judges keep pace with evolving legal principles.
He explained that the partnership with the Italian institution aims to broaden the perspectives of Ghanaian judges by exposing them to global best practices.
Justice Ackaah-Boafo noted that while a previous training session focused on specific legal subjects, this year’s programme concentrates on the constitutional dimensions of judicial independence and the rule of law.
Italy’s Ambassador to Ghana, Laura Ranalli, said the rule of law remains a key foundation of democratic societies worldwide.
She said discussions on protecting and strengthening this principle continue even within European democracies.
The ambassador explained that the training programme forms part of a broader initiative known as the Rule of Law and Judicial Cooperation Project, which involves several African countries.
According to her, such initiatives are designed to strengthen democratic governance by building institutional capacity within judicial systems.
She added that Italy was proud to support the collaboration with the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, describing it as one of the country’s leading academic institutions.
