‘Judges don’t mingle with appointing authorities’ – Amoako Asante defends judicial independence

Justice Edward Amoako Asante has defended the principle of judicial independence in his confirmation hearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee. He emphasized that judges must make decisions based solely on the facts of a case and the relevant laws, irrespective of who appointed them. "Judges decide on cases by the facts before them; then you apply the law to the facts. Judges do not go mingling with the appointing authority just because they appointed you," Justice Asante stated firmly.

During his testimony, Justice Asante underscored the oath they take as judges as a cornerstone for their impartiality. "As a judge when you’re appointed, you swear an oath which you go by; that is a very important thing that you do to ensure fairness and equity to all manner of persons who appear before you," he explained. He reiterated that personal relationships or the authority responsible for appointing a judge should never sway their judgment.

The integrity of the judiciary, Asante asserted, hinges on the judges' ability to maintain an independent mind and resist external pressures. "Independence of mind is very important, and that is why I have got to where I am now. I have independence of mind to withstand all kinds of influences, if any, to do my job," he concluded.