We don’t abhor constructive criticisms- Magistrates, Judges Association

The Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana has noted that it is not against criticisms of judges or the Judiciary.

According to the group, the said criticisms, if done constructively rather help to improve any system including the Judiciary.

“The Association must not be understood to be against criticisms of judges or the judiciary. Criticism if it is constructive helps to improve any system and makes the various actors sit up.’

Addressing members of the Association at the 41st Conference of the AMJG at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra, its president, Justice Henry A.Kwofie noted that maligning, insulting, and attacking the integrity of judges and the judiciary is not an acceptable way of evaluating their work.

He thus called for criticism to be focused on how judges apply the law to arrive at a result of a decision but not on what the result might be or which parties the decisions must favor.

Additionally, Justice Kwofie emphasized that per the nature of their work, judges cannot go on radio, television, or social media to defend themselves which ought to be realized by critics.

The AMJG president, therefore, established that impugning the motives of judges is actually what is undermining confidence in the Judiciary.