The Commonwealth Must Take the Lead in Promoting the Independence and Integrity of the Judiciary

Ghana's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Nana Akufo-Addo

The Commonwealth's legal community must lead the way in championing the rights of citizens and developing new initiatives for progress in various fields of justice, said Ghana's President John Agyekum Kufuor. In a speech delivered on his behalf by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Nana Akufo-Addo, on 17 October 2005 at the opening of the Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting (CLMM), President Kufuor said the meeting is critical in supporting the promotion of law and order. Addressing more than 150 CLMM delegates from 37 Commonwealth countries, the President said: "You are key players in helping to promote the independence and integrity of the judiciary and upholding the ideals of the Harare Declaration. You are critical in ensuring justice and freedom for our people."

President Kufuor said the rule of law serves as the foundation for democracy and good governance to thrive, providing the context in which the separation of powers can work constructively for the good of society. He stressed that the rule of law is crucial for development and commended the Commonwealth for its work in building the capacity of member states to implement legal instruments.

Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Florence Mugasha said the CLMM is the highest policy-making forum for legal issues in the Commonwealth and its deliberations in Ghana will be a vital input in the decisions of the Heads of Government at their meeting in Malta in November 2005. She said the work of law ministries across the Commonwealth has a direct bearing on democracy and the promotion of good governance and the rule of law. She stated that one of the areas where the Commonwealth has a comparative advantage is in its advocacy for the needs of small states.

Ghana's Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Joseph Ayikoi Otoo said the Commonwealth symbolises the values, ideas and philosophies that are fundamental to the development of a peaceful, tolerant and prosperous world.

Key Links:

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