ghananlpcommunity/ghana-gov-speeches-sentences huggingface dataset:
Because it takes people of strong character, some of them anonymous officials manning small local institutions, to ensure the integrity of the national institutions and the preservation of the society and its prosperity.
As we seek to build our democracy, Ghana needs people of strong integrity and high ethical conduct to ensure survival of the nation.
The Judiciary, in particular, needs men and women such as these.
To retain the trust and confidence of the people, critical elements for the survival of any judicial institution, we need all officers at all levels to display integrity, honour and fairness.
It is 15 of such individuals that we celebrate today.
They have served their country well, promoted the course of justice and expanded the rights of their fellow citizens.
Men and women who have displayed strength and demonstrated tremendous insight and excellence in their work on the Bench.
These 15 gentlemen and ladies have shown the spirit that animated the founding fathers in their quest for a nation that was not just free, but guaranteed justice to all of its citizens.
We cannot thank them enough.
This ceremony, and our little presentations are therefore an attempt to express the gratitude and appreciation we have for your service.
Obviously, it in no way adequately expresses or is commensurate with the actual impact that you have had on this country and your colleagues still in the Service.
However, we hope that it will demonstrate our great regard for you and serve as a reminder of the pleasure we have felt working with you.
In your retirement, you retain the continuing admiration and respect of your colleagues in the Service and the gratitude of the entire nation.
Even though your time in the Service is at an end, I believe that you can and will remain very helpful to the Service.
Let us continue to benefit from your accrued knowledge and experience through either formal or informal means.
The rest of us still in the Service will more than appreciate your insight.
Above all, however, I wish you a blissful retirement.
May God continue to bless and keep you.
You have played your part in building our nation and bringing justice to your compatriots.
We could not have asked for more.
May God bless our country with more citizens of your calibre.
KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY SPECIAL GUEST OF HONOUR: THE HON.
LADY CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA, JUSTICE GERTRUDE SACKEY TORKORNOO, AT THE CONFERMENT OF LIFE TIME ACHIEVEMENT IN LAW AWARD ON PROF.
JUSTICE SAMUEL KOFI DATE-BAH (RTD.)
ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 31, 2023, LABADI BEACH HOTEL, ACCRA Protocols, Good evening, It is indeed an inestimable privilege to be the Special Guest of Honour on this occasion of honouring and celebrating one of the most distinguished jurists of our time.
Professor Justice Samuel Kofi Date-Bah is a man who leaves no emptiness where he walks, and it is meet and right that we have gathered for him to receive another deserving laurel in his illustrious life and career.
I believe I speak for the entire judicial and legal sector when I say that we are happy and proud that Professor Date-Bah is being celebrated in this befitting manner.
I extend our profound appreciation to the University of Professional Studies - Accra Law School for this initiative.
Professor Date-Bah is a distinguished individual who has dedicated his lifetime to upholding the ideals of personal integrity, the reality of justice, and the rule of law, and his legacy from these noble pursuits will forever be etched in hearts, minds and national history.
A forest is a forest only because its trees grow tall and strong.
In the same vein, a nation is strong because it is shaped by individuals who make an indelible impact from a position of strength.
Such personalities guide the weaker through complexities of life so that together we can grow stranger.
Professor Date-Bah, is one such paragon of strength, wisdom and generosity, whose contributions have shaped the course of our nation’s legal institutions, the very framework of law, and who has also worked tirelessly to ensure that the pillars of democracy remain unshaken.
Throughout his career as teacher, international public servant and jurist, he has expressed by action, word and work, an unwavering commitment to upholding the principles that support the building of strong nations, and prosperity for all.
His journey has been marked not only by intellectual brilliance but also deep-seated empathy for the individuals whose lives are affected by the decisions rendered from the hallowed spaces that he worked from.
What is remarkable about Justice Date-Bah is that While contributing to the body of legal knowledge through research, writing and teaching, he generously clearly carried his vocation of teaching with him in a manner that left a trail of certainty that the legal and judicial history of this country cannot be written and experienced without the essence of his work.
In the circumstances, we live in a world where his teachings and judgments have shaped not only how the law is practised but also how business, parliamentary business and governance is conducted.
Ability to impart knowledge.
As a legal luminary, Professor Date-Bah’s expertise and impact stretches across different legal domains, from constitutional law to the intricacies of contract law and the complexities of commercial and company law, where his leadership and impact will be long felt.
But for those of us who were lucky enough to work with him, I think that the most striking and inescapable quality that Professor Date-Bah exudes is this remarkable ability to impart knowledge, even in the most unobtrusive ways.
Without uttering statements or attempting to teach in conventional ways, in any short time of interaction, Professor Data Bah can dispense professional and life lessons that can have a transformative effect on life and career.
Indeed, while many of thought leaders ask for attention to be paid to their words, Professor Date-Bah does the opposite.
He unobtrusively guides such that simply watching him leads to understanding what he wishes to teach.
Whether it is his quiet acceptance of leadership position, followed by dedication to making a success of what has been entrusted to him, or through the intellectual weight of his rulings or the exhibition of personal grace and unwavering discipline, being in his presence for whatever purpose, quickly turns into a lesson on how to understand law, and live life such that it can be of maximum benefit to community.
My personal view is that Professor Date-Bah is a consummate teacher, and each interaction with him is an exercise in receiving knowledge.
Profound integrity Another trait that must be noted is the profound integrity of His Lordship Date-Bah.
Again, this was not a commitment to which he paid lip service; it is a quality found from every way in which he expresses himself.
In the rough and tumble of life, as we seek our various ends, the concept of integrity often becomes a slippery log that can seem difficult to appreciate.
But integrity beckons us to weave our lives into a harmonious blend that not only syncs with the demands of our chosen paths but the diverse strings of our lives and those that we need to live and work with.
As a teacher and a judge, our honouree displayed and embodied a man at peace with every part of his life, allowing the harmony to blend into candour that is inescapable.
A teacher moulds minds, fostering curiosity and wisdom.
The legal scholar safeguards justice, ensuring societal equilibrium.
With the fierce integrity with which he functioned, Justice Date-Bah taught and gave every act and effort to shaping principles of justice, order and equity in every interaction.
Justice Date-Bah has stood as a steadfast guardian of the seeming elusive concept of justice with judgments characterised by meticulous research, eloquent reasoning and a compassionate understanding of the human condition in order to move what he taught and wrote from mere legalities, to shaping our society into one in which every individual, regardless of background, could find solace in the impartiality and safety of law.
Thus it was that his opinion in Faroe Atlantic v the Attorney General [2005-2006] SCGLR 271 , he brought his intricate grasp of the fine lines of international law, law of contract, and constitutional law to settle how the will of the sovereign people of Ghana can only be ascertained by what its representatives have agreed to in parliament, when it comes to international business contracts.
Success The last quality I would like us to reflect on tonight is “Success”.
It is my belief that Professor Date-Bah embodies the notion of success.
What really, does it mean to be successful?
Some argue that objective measures of success exist, and these measures manifest in visible benchmarks such as professional achievement or material acquisitions.
My humble perspective is that genuine success is not found in external standards.
It involves possessing a clear understanding of one's own aspirations, and intended impacts, and achieving those aspirations, making those impacts, and leaving behind a lasting legacy that precisely aligns with one's pre-determined intentions.
Professor Date-Bah’s profound immersion in commercial law, contract law, and international law during his tenure as an educator point to his commitment to these fields.
The imprints he has left behind include prolific writings in his chosen fields, and the cultivation of intellectual understanding of these fields.
But his imprints go beyond the scholarly work, and his work as a jurist.
In sync with the integrity and generosity with which he expresses his contributions, we have found his work stretching further to contribute extensively to national regulation of industry and business.
From classroom and courtroom, he walked his talk into leadership in the transition of Ghana's company law and practice as the daunting task of reviewing the Companies Act of 1962 into the Companies Act of 2000 needed to be done.
His unwavering dedication to his field, coupled with his profound grasp of the practical application of law, allowed him to lead the task of expressing legislative requisites and designing corporate practices that must flow in regulation.
His impact, through this, has moved from classroom, courtroom, to boardroom and the market.
His legacy reverberates in the lives touched, the injustices rectified, and the futures safeguarded.
As we honour Professor Justice Samuel Kofi Date-Bah today, I think it is a good time to take a refreshing look at these enduring noble qualities and re calibrate how we commit to giving to society.
Looking at our celebrant, it is clear that the tenacious love of sacrifice and giving does not only leave the world well off, but it makes us personally successful.
So Prof, please accept the gratitude of the nation, academia and Judicial Service and the nation for your service.
Your life's work is an inspiration for all of us.
Your unwavering dedication to the pursuit of justice has and will continue to serve as a guiding light.
Your commitment to the principles of equality and fairness sets an example for future generations of legal minds to emulate.
As this honour is conferred upon you, may it stand as a testament to how extraordinary contributions are made from seeming ordinary and simple living.
Your legacy will forever be woven into the tapestry of our legal system, and your impact will be felt for generations to come.
KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY HER LADYSHIP JUSTICE GERTRUDE SACKEY TORKORNOO, HONORABLE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA AT ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN JUDGES- GHANA CHAPTER (IAWJ) ON TUESDAY, 26 TH SEPTEMBER, 2023, LABADI BEACH HOTEL THEME: “ "THE FEMALE JUDGE AS A LEGAL LUMINARY WITH A BALANCED LIFE".
Your Ladyship Justice Rita Agyeman Budu, President of the International Association of Women Judges- Ghana Chapter, and all executives of our esteemed Association, Your Ladyships, Honors and Worships, Members of the IAWJ- Ghana Chapter Distinguished Invited Guests Ladies and Gentlemen Thank you very much for the invitation to deliver this address at the …….Annual General Meeting of the International Association of Women Judges.
It is indeed a great honor not only to lead the Judiciary, but through this position, be given the privilege of sharing thoughts on momentous occasions such as this.
It seems like only a few months ago when we gathered here in our stylish gold and brown outfits to consider many issues that affect the welfare of lady Judges at the 2022 AGM.
At that conference, as is customary, we were addressed by the Chief Justice, then His Lordship Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah.
In June 2023, he passed the baton of leadership to me as the 15 th Chief Justice of the Republic.
Let me therefore begin this address by expressing my appreciation to all for supporting His Lordship Justice Anin Yeboah through the gruelling schedule of overseeing the construction and commissioning of some fifty courts in a short space of time, especially under Covid 19 conditions - while still discharging all of the heavy constitutional duties that come with the mandate of Chief Justice pursuant to Chapter 11 of the Constitution 1992.
We are grateful to His Lordship for his dedicated service, and wish him a very well- deserved rest in retirement.
I must also acknowledge the beautiful legacies of Her Ladyship Justice Georgina Theodora Wood, the first lady Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana who came to the office in 2007, after more than one hundred years after Chief Justice David Patrick Chalmers as Chief Justice of the Gold Coast from 1876 to 1878.
She broke the glass ceiling over women Judges, and she must be constantly saluted for this legacy.
We also acknowledge Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo, who followed directly after Chief Justice Wood, removing any shards of glass that may have lain around after Chief Justice Wood walked into the high office.
With me following closely after them, we as women Judges, must now be settled with the truth, that we stand toe to toe with our brothers, and can remove any barrier, perceived or real, against women in leadership in Ghana’s judiciary.
I have extremely fond memories of our AGM last year.
Following the opening, I joined a virtual club of lady Judges committed to being better versions of themselves under the club name The New You.
In the ensuing months, I lost several kilograms of weight, learnt how to eat interesting combinations of food that were designed to keep my systems detoxified and healthy, do aerobics by following instructors I saw only on screens, and eventually put back most of the lost weight because I stopped midstream.
I intend to rejoin the club and start the cycle all over again, because it was an extremely impactful addition to my life.
I sincerely thank the organisers of our AGM for knowing just how to bring issues that are important to the emotional, intellectual and physiological well-being of Judges to our notice, in the few short hours we have for this conference.
Through these goading topics, you motivate, encourage, and energize exchange of ideas and experiences that help with the improvement of the quality of our lives.
I am confident that the lineup of discussions in this conference will provide new opportunities to inspire us, and enable us to return to our roles with new energy, new passion and new ideas to better discharge the critical constitutional mandate that the Judiciary has been given under the Constitution.
Our theme for this year throws the spot light on how as female Judges, we can achieve balance in all areas of life while functioning as legal luminaries.
I believe that in essence, a legal luminary is someone who possesses an exceptional understanding and mastery of the law.
A legal luminary is an individual who not only comprehends the architecture of law, in whatsoever context, but is also adept at applying any area of law diligently and effectively to the specific facts placed before her in any case.
To my mind, every Judge must inherently possess or aspire to this quality of legal luminance.
A Judge's work, at whichever level of court, and on any given day, is far from simple.
Each case comes with its specific and unique set of facts.
Each case compels the general contemplation of the rules of procedure of the relevant court, as they apply specifically to the circumstances of the case, and the processes filed for determination.
While scanning for procedural correctness, the Judge must not only be satisfied of sufficiency of relevant evidence in order to provoke the reliefs sought, but the presence of all the distinct principles that make up the area of law that the facts fall in.
A Judge’s ability to harmonize distinct strands of law, prioritize their applicability, and deliver cogent decisions with appropriate orders requires depth of understanding and illumination not only in the inter-sectionality of the different areas of law that come to play in a case, but the nuances of each applicable area of law.
But you will agree with me that the expectation placed upon a woman as a legal luminary is no different from that of her male counterpart.
The donning of the robe and taking of the gavel obscures the operation of gender and invites only skill, intellectual strength and emotional resilience in the rambunctious arena of conflict – nothing less.
We cannot be defined by our gender when it comes to the quality of luminance we bring to work, if we do not want to be restricted by any debilitating notions around gender in the quality of rewards we obtain from work.
While this is so, we cannot also pretend to be oblivious of the physiological and cultural demands of our gender.
How do we manage a full case list when pregnant or undergoing some health challenge such as dealing with a bleeding fibroid?
How do we stand toe to toe with our male counterparts in exercising strong, independent, competent, diligent management of our court rooms that resonate with the integrity and brilliance that our role demands?
These are important questions and so our theme for consideration is important.
My ladies, my view is that if we appreciate that first and foremost, regardless of whether a Judge is male or female, the Judge is a leader of not just the courtroom that he or she functions from, but the registry from which her work emanates, the foundation for winning at work as a Judge would have been laid.
This is a perspective that cannot be negotiated out, whether we want to or not.
The Judge is the face, final word and leader of the relay of court officials and external service providers that are involved in the processing of court work, pre and post-trial, and this has nothing to do with gender identity.
Thus if we take the bull by the horns from the first day of our career, and focus on developing this primary identity of leadership when it comes to the work space, rather than the fundamental identity of femaleness that we bear as human beings, the intellectual, emotional and social burdens of our constitutional role will be easier managed.
What and how do I mean?
A focus on the tenets of personal leadership should draw us into paying close attention to our case lists, and the state of records before us before allowing them to be called in court.
Going through a day’s work should not be a passive routine of calling cases, adjourning them when we find that they are not ripe for hearing, or allowing lengthy submissions that sap energy and leave us drained, only to retire to write lengthy decisions on why an application should be dismissed.
When we pay close attention to court records immediately they are assigned to us because we accept leadership and ownership of our work space, we will be able to lead clerks, secretaries and registries in ensuring that the processes on dockets pass the litmus tests of readiness for consideration, before they are called in court, or even placed on a cause list.
The preparation of a cause list should not remain the preserve of Registrars, but a process closely guided by a Judge who has scanned the dockets and knows that they are fit to require the summoning of lawyers and citizens to court.
Coming to court exerts a heavy toll in time and money, and a judge’s leadership role must be exercised to make it a productive exercise.
When we accept the leadership component of a Judge’s role, we will guide court staff into greater capacities that enable them to appreciate the role of legal secretaries and legal clerks that they function in.
Because by the simple reason of working in the court system, they also enter into the second layer specialization of being para-legal, whether they are conscious of it or not.
Personal leadership will help us to settle an environment of greater competence, diligence and integrity among the staff working with us, so that our work is made easier, and we are not mocked by a frustrated public.
Personal leadership skills will illuminate the necessity of healthy relationships in the working environment of the courts.
Clearly no Judge, or any individual for that matter, can function optimally without the skill of mobilizing, maintaining, and nurturing healthy professional interactions within the working space of the court.
The ability to cultivate and sustain meaningful connections by everyone in the relay of justice delivery is an essential component of effective judicial leadership.
As I shared at our AGM last year, the better management of cases and court rooms comes from private strategic skills such as effective communication, personal goal setting, active monitoring of goals set, and time management of the Judge.
These are leadership skills, and not legal skills.
When we operate with this posture of leadership, we lend ourselves to the reputation of brilliance, because the illumination that our work will expose will reside not just in the final outcome of rulings, but the whole journey that will be marked with the required judicial ethics of independence of thought, propriety of conduct by all within the court system, diligence and competence in case and court room management by all staff, and integrity of the rulings and orders that eventually flow from well thought through work, and that is finally signed off by a Judge who pays attention to what is placed before them for signature.
To maintain equilibrium in the demanding role of a Judge, I believe that striking the delicate balance between accepting responsibility for the professional development of the court environment and personal well-being rests with us.
A balanced life will as much involve setting boundaries for staff when it comes to quality of work, as prioritizing self-care at work, such as how we stop for health breaks and meals.
As intrinsic leaders, we should engage diverse sets of skills, attitudes, and capacities that will enable us to effectively navigate all aspects of life that foster emotional, mental, financial, and intellectual balance.
I like to refer to this holistic approach as "Circled Living," where each letter in "Circle" represents a crucial facet of life in which we deliberate set goals for achieving desired objectives in that arena.
C stands for our spiritual lives, and is used for the Christian life, I for our intellectual development, R for all ranges of relationships, C for career development, L for lifestyle choices, and E for our economic and financial goals.
The concept of Circled Living encourages us to appreciate that whether we are aware or not, we seamlessly move within a seamless circle of roles on any given day.
As such, it is only by deliberately planning for each area of our CIRCLE, that we can ensure that we move towards desired goals, rather than being victims of circumstances.
It is important to also appreciate that avoiding the making of assumptions about personal ability, and seeking help is an integral part of a life excellence.
Everyone needs help.
So the development of support networks and mentorship should form part of the ‘R’ part of our Circled living.
By embracing the principles of Circled Living and being open to growth and support, we can lead a more balanced and fulfilling life while excelling in our judicial career.