Lawyers to Suspend Court Duties on June 30 in Honor of Martyrs’ Day

The Acting Chief Justice of Ghana, Justice Paul Baffoe‑Bonnie, has granted official permission for all active members of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) to refrain from court duties on Monday, June 30, 2025, in observance of Martyrs’ Day

A circular dated June 17, 2025, was dispatched to judges, magistrates, court managers, supervising High Court judges, registrars, and the Acting Judicial Secretary. This notice reflects a long-established tradition that allows legal professionals to honour the national solemnity dedicated to the memory of fallen judicial figures citinewsroom.com.

Martyrs’ Day commemorates a tragic event from June 30, 1982, when Justices Fred Poku Sarkodee, Cecilia Koranteng‑Addow, Kwadwo Agyei Agyapong, and Major Sam Acquah (Rtd.) were abducted from their residences and murdered at the Bundase military shooting range near Accra. Their deaths sparked national mourning and led to the establishment of a Special Investigations Board. By stepping away from court proceedings on this day, the Ghanaian legal community joins the broader national reflection on the values of justice, courage, and sacrifice exhibited by these martyrs. The withdrawal of legal services underscores the deep respect afforded to their memory and allows GBA members to participate in memorial ceremonies and public remembrances.

Court operations are expected to resume as normal on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. The directive was issued to ensure uniform observance across all judicial levels.