{
  "id": 15783754,
  "title": "Protect judges from arbitrary transfers, stalled careers – Yaw Nsarkoh",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/protect-judges-from-arbitrary-transfers-stalled-careers-yaw-nsarkoh",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-20T17:54:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/protect-judges-from-arbitrary-transfers-stalled-careers-yaw-nsarkoh/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Unilever executive Yaw Nsarkoh has highlighted the need for Ghana to protect judges from career and professional risks that arise when they make decisions that go against powerful political interests. Addressing the topic as \"Even Judges Must Eat,\" Nsarkoh emphasized that just like other professionals, judges have families, careers, and livelihoods that can be impacted by their judgements. During a JoyNews and An Amalgam of Professionals event in Accra, he questioned the expectation that judges should sacrifice their careers or personal security to uphold the rule of law in systems susceptible to political influence.\n\nNsarkoh pointed out the risk of judges facing arbitrary transfers or having their careers stunted after delivering judgments that run counter to the interests of those in power. He warned that this could create a culture of professional self-preservation, where individuals might avoid making decisions or taking actions that could jeopardize their careers. While this behaviour is not exclusive to the judiciary, Nsarkoh challenged other professionals to consider whether they are willing to stand up to powerful interests when there are personal risks involved.\n\nHowever, Nsarkoh cautioned against accepting a general decline in professional standards as inevitable. He urged the discussion of needed reforms to improve institutional safeguards and create conditions where professionals could act independently without unreasonable fear of political retaliation. Nsarkoh also warned that persistent poverty and inequality could threaten social stability and guarantee lasting peace and security, as a society that fails to provide dignity for its citizens cannot ensure lasting peace and security.",
  "summary": "Former Executive Vice President of Unilever Ghana and Nigeria, Yaw Nsarkoh has argued that Ghana must address the professional and career risks faced by judges who make decisions that displease powerful political interests, warning that expecting judicial officers to withstand such pressures without institutional protection is unrealistic. Using the phrase “Even Judges Must Eat” as […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Problems of society are not resolved by appointing more judges – Yaw Nsarkoh",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/problems-of-society-are-not-resolved-by-appointing-more-judges-yaw",
        "published": "2026-10-20T19:24:25.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}