Don’t lament your womanhood while serving in remote areas – advice from CJ to newly appointed female magistrates

Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo has advised female magistrates against expressing objections when assigned to remote areas. During the swearing-in ceremony for new magistrates, she praised the growing presence of women in the Judiciary, referring to it as the “feminization of the Judiciary.”

Highlighting Ghana’s progress in comparison to the United States, she emphasized the significant strides made, noting that while the U.S. recently appointed its first female Chief Justice after a 700-year common law history, Ghana is already on its third.

Describing this as part of the ongoing feminization trend within the Judiciary, Chief Justice Torkornoo predicted a potential shift towards a Supreme Court with 70 percent female justices. She encouraged female magistrates to be open to serving in any location, especially in lesser-known regions.

As part of this feminization process, she emphasized the importance of flexibility and readiness to accept postings to locations like Tumu, Nkawkaw, Nsuatre, and Nsuokyire without hesitation or objections based on gender.

Addressing the families of the magistrates, she urged their support for the success of the service. Chief Justice Torkornoo asserted that the families must allow these magistrates the freedom to serve anywhere, emphasizing that such flexibility is integral to their roles in the Judiciary.

During the swearing-in ceremony at the Accra High Court complex, Chief Justice Torkornoo administered the oath to twenty-three new magistrates, with eleven males and twelve females among them.