Take your health, mental issues seriously – CJ caution Judges, Magistrates

Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo has cautioned Judges and Magistrates in Ghana to give greater consideration to their health and well-being as they go about their work as judges and not loose sight of the fact that they have a responsibility to stay healthy.

Addressing the 39th Annual General Meeting of the the Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana (AMJG) at the Labadi Beach Hotel, under the theme: “Judges, Our Health “, Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo, said “the health and well-being of judges is an extremely important matter because judges are at the heart of justice delivery” in Ghana”.

“Judgeship is a demanding work requiring the delicate balancing of competing interest, applying the facts to the evidence adduced and reaching a just conclusion according to law. As societies have become more complex, so has the crime and civil disputes increased. This has undoubtedly put a greater strain and stress on the demands of our job” Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo said.

She further noted that while judges bear individual responsibility for “devising creative ways of maintaining their health and sanity in the face of the overwhelming challenges of their calling,” it will be prudent that effective support systems are established amongst Judges that will provide the environment for us to overcome these work-related pressures that undermine our health and well-being, and allow us to continue to thrive and perform optimally”