Judges must uphold law, not personal faith, in LGBTQ+ cases-Justice Sir Dennis Adjei
By DL News
Published
1 min read
Speaking during his vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, the Court of Appeal judge, who also serves on the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, emphasized that a judge’s religious affiliation should never int...
Justice Sir Dennis Dominic Adjei, a nominee to Ghana’s Supreme Court, has underscored the critical importance of judicial neutrality, especially in cases involving LGBTQ+ rights.
Speaking during his vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, the Court of Appeal judge, who also serves on the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, emphasized that a judge’s religious affiliation should never interfere with courtroom decisions.
“No matter one’s religious background—be it Christian, Muslim, or otherwise—justice demands impartiality,” he said. “Once I don the robe, my duty is to apply the law, not my personal beliefs.”
When questioned about his approach to matters relating to same-sex relationships, particularly given his active involvement in the Catholic Church, Justice Adjei made it clear that his rulings are always grounded in legal principles, not faith.
He noted that he has presided over cases touching on sexual orientation in his current international role and consistently prioritized objectivity over ideology.
“To let religion influence rulings,” he warned, “would risk turning the bench into a platform for sectarian interests, and that would erode public trust in the legal system.”
Justice Adjei reiterated that fidelity to the law is the cornerstone of judicial responsibility, and any deviation from that path amounts to dereliction of duty.
