Justice Richard Adjei-Frimpong addressing the press yesterday
Ghana’s highest court, the Supreme Court, has slated month-long activities to celebrate the 150th anniversary of its establishment and highlight the court’s contribution to the social, political and democratic development of the country.Ghanaian cultural events
The Supreme Court was established under the Supreme Court Ordinance of 1876, an ordinance recognised as marking the beginning of the modern Ghanaian legal system.
Briefing the press about the celebration which is set for July 1 to 31, Justice Richard Adjei-Frimpong, a Justice of the Supreme Court and Chairman of the Planning Committee of the 150th Anniversary Celebrations of the Supreme Court, said “the court has not just been a court, but a very significant national governance institution.”
According to him, the evolution of the Supreme Court has over the decades been chequered, challenging, yet enduring.
“The court has not been spared the misfortunes of political hostility, military interventions featuring suspensions and abrogations of constitutions, societal criticisms, even condemnation, some fair others unfair and, in some instances, extraordinary legislative re-alignment,” he pointed out.
These notwithstanding, Justice Adjei-Frimpong said the court has survived and thrived, emphasising that in the chapters and verses of this evolution, the court has held on to its fundamental role of defending the constitution, ensuring the protection of fundamental human rights of the citizenry and enforcing as well as sustaining a true democratic system of governance.
He highlighted some groundbreaking decisions of the Supreme Court over the years, including the interpretation of Article 181(5) of the Constitution to ensure that international business agreements involving the state shall not come into operation unless it is approved by a resolution of parliament.
“By this decision, the representatives of the people have a final say in how the executive transacts international businesses,” he stressed.
He also touched on the decision to enforce the rights of prisoners to vote, “thereby expanding the frontiers of universal adult suffrage.”
Justice Adjei-Frimpong further touched on the two presidential election disputes that were resolved by the court “to ensure political stability.”
The 150th anniversary celebration is under the theme, “Honouring the Past, Celebrating the Present and Defining the Future.”
“We believe it is deserving to celebrate the historical significance of the court, honour the achievements of our forebears and highlight the court’s contribution to the social, political and democratic development of the country,” he said.
He further indicated that “we also believe that in recent decades, particularly under the dispensation of the 1992 Constitution, the court has carved for itself a remarkable component of Ghana statehood which is worthy of celebration. There is also the need to look into the future and chart a sustainable course to meet emerging challenges of the global legal system.”Ghanaian cultural events
The events lined up for the celebrations include lectures and symposia by various dignitaries locally and internationally, legal outreach programmes, moot court competitions, sporting events, sod-cutting of anniversary project, durbar to climax the celebrations, dinner and thanksgiving service.
BY Gibril Abdul Razak
Tags: general news, Supreme court, Supreme Court 150th Anniversary
