Judges Must Separate Faith from Law in Same-Sex Cases - Justice Adjei

Accra, Ghana - 17 June, 2025 - A nominee for Ghana's Supreme Court, Justice Sir Dennis Dominic Adjei, has underscored the importance of separating personal religious beliefs from judicial decisions, particularly in cases involving same-sex rights.

During his parliamentary vetting, Justice Adjei stressed that judges must remain impartial and adhere to their oath of office.

Justice Adjei, a Court of Appeal judge and member of the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights, was responding to concerns about his ability to handle LGBTQ+ cases given his active role in the Catholic Church. He emphasized that his faith is a personal matter, but as a judge, he is bound to apply the law without bias.

“When we talk about our faiths, whether Christian, Muslim, or any other, it is a personal matter,” he said. “But when you are in the courtroom, you have taken an oath to be impartial, regardless of who appears before you. Once I put on my judicial cap, I must act according to that oath,'' Justice Adjei said.

“If any matter comes before me, whether it concerns same-sex issues or something else, I will consider the facts and apply the law. My faith will not influence the outcome,” he said. “Anything else would be a failure to discharge my duty as a judge.”

He warned that allowing religious beliefs to shape court decisions could undermine the integrity of the legal system, creating a situation where each religious group might seek representation on the bench to advance their interests.

“If faith were to guide judgments, then each religious group might want someone on the bench to speak for their interest. That should not be the case.''

Source: Lead News Online