This was followed by a Remembrance Service at the Holy Spirit Cathedral, Adabraka, in Accra.
Referred to as “Martyrs of the Rule of Law”, the three Justices of the High Court – Fred Poku Sarkodee,
Cecilia Koranteng-Addow and Kwadwo Agyei Agyepong were abducted from their homes and killed on June 30, 1982.
Cecilia Koranteng-Addow and Kwadwo Agyei Agyepong were abducted from their homes and killed on June 30, 1982.
Since then, the Bench and the Bar have mourned their death and remember them for dying in the line of duty –
a duty they performed without fear or favour.
a duty they performed without fear or favour.
The wreath-laying ceremony, which brought together some Justices of the Superior Courts, the Attorney-General
and Minister for Justice, some members of the Bar, as well as some members of the bereaved families, was a
brief and solemn one.
and Minister for Justice, some members of the Bar, as well as some members of the bereaved families, was a
brief and solemn one.
Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo lays a Wreath on behalf of the Judiciary and Judicial Service
Wreaths were laid by the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, on behalf of the Judiciary
and Judicial Service, the National President of the Ghana Bar Association Mr. Yaw Acheampong Boafo, on
behalf of the Bar and Mr. Banahene Poku Sarkodee, son of the late Justice Fred Poku Sarkodee, on behalf
of the bereaved families.
and Judicial Service, the National President of the Ghana Bar Association Mr. Yaw Acheampong Boafo, on
behalf of the Bar and Mr. Banahene Poku Sarkodee, son of the late Justice Fred Poku Sarkodee, on behalf
of the bereaved families.
In a homily at the Remembrance Service, the Parish Priest of Christ the King Catholic Church, Cantonments,
Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Ebenezer Akesseh, called on Judges and Lawyers to advance the course of justice in wisdom,
righteousness and equity, and pay attention to the voice of conscience.
Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Ebenezer Akesseh, Parish Priest, Christ the King Catholic Church, giving the homily
Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Ebenezer Akesseh, called on Judges and Lawyers to advance the course of justice in wisdom,
righteousness and equity, and pay attention to the voice of conscience.
Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Ebenezer Akesseh, Parish Priest, Christ the King Catholic Church, giving the homily
“Wisdom is needed in your profession. We look up to you to argue our cases and settle them for us.
Seek the face of God and ask Him for wisdom because the cases you handle are not black and white.
Pray for wisdom so you can understand righteousness and equity. Righteousness requires paying attention
to the dictates of conscience. Like Paul, I encourage you not to ignore the dictates of conscience as you
argue out your cases. Keep your conscience clear before God and man”, he said.
Seek the face of God and ask Him for wisdom because the cases you handle are not black and white.
Pray for wisdom so you can understand righteousness and equity. Righteousness requires paying attention
to the dictates of conscience. Like Paul, I encourage you not to ignore the dictates of conscience as you
argue out your cases. Keep your conscience clear before God and man”, he said.
For his part, the President of the Ghana Bar Association Mr. Yaw Acheampong Boafo, called on the
citizenry to support the Judiciary.
Mr. Yaw Acheampong Boafo, National President, Ghana Bar Association delivers his speech
at the Remembrance Service
citizenry to support the Judiciary.
Mr. Yaw Acheampong Boafo, National President, Ghana Bar Association delivers his speech
at the Remembrance Service
“The Judiciary is, and remains the most veritable guardian of our constitutional rights irrespective of the social,
political and religious divides we belong. The better choice is for us to help improve it to better serve us and
not to attack and tear it down”, he said.
political and religious divides we belong. The better choice is for us to help improve it to better serve us and
not to attack and tear it down”, he said.
From R – L: His Excellency President Nana Akufo-Addo; Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo;
Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame & Member of the Council of State, Sam Okudzeto
singing a hymn during the church service.
Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame & Member of the Council of State, Sam Okudzeto
singing a hymn during the church service.
He also implored Judges to be fair in their work and perform their duties above reproach.
“We implore our Judges to endeavor to eschew all acts of impropriety, biases, and improper influences but
work in fidelity to the judicial oath of doing justice to all manner of persons without fear or favour, affection
or ill-will”, he added.
Three High Court Judges read the biographies of the Murdered Judges. From L - R : Justice Charles Gyamfi Danquah, Justice Akua Sarpomaa Amoah & Justice Kwasi Anokye Gyimah
work in fidelity to the judicial oath of doing justice to all manner of persons without fear or favour, affection
or ill-will”, he added.
Three High Court Judges read the biographies of the Murdered Judges. From L - R : Justice Charles Gyamfi Danquah, Justice Akua Sarpomaa Amoah & Justice Kwasi Anokye Gyimah
As part of the Remembrance Service, the life histories of the three Judges were read. Justice Fred Poku Sarkodee
was referred to as “one who was not afraid to explore and expand the frontiers of the law” and
Justice Cecilia Koranteng-Addow was extoled as “one cut out for the profession, with a sharp and penetrating
brain for unravelling problems”. Justice Agyei Agyapong was acknowledged as one who “exhibited industry,
sat for long hours and showed a lot of promise”.
was referred to as “one who was not afraid to explore and expand the frontiers of the law” and
Justice Cecilia Koranteng-Addow was extoled as “one cut out for the profession, with a sharp and penetrating
brain for unravelling problems”. Justice Agyei Agyapong was acknowledged as one who “exhibited industry,
sat for long hours and showed a lot of promise”.