The president of the Republic, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Jammeh Thursday afternoon presided over the swearing-in ceremony of The Gambia's first female chief justice at a ceremony held at State House, Banjul. Ghanaian-born Justice Mabel Agyemang, who was confirmed Tuesday as chief justice of The Gambia following her brief spell as acting CJ, took oaths of office, administered by the deputy secretary to Cabinet, Mariama Njie. Agyemang is the second Ghanaian chief justice of The Gambia. Her swearing in ceremony was graced by top government officials including the vice president and minister of Women's Affairs, Her Excellency, Aja Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy, and scores of Cabinet ministers.

The Gambian leader, in his words of wisdom, reaffirmed his government's commitment to ensuring quality justice delivery in the country. He spoke extensively on an array of issues confronting the judiciary, lamenting the unending adjournments in the courts. Urging the new chief justice to look into this issue, President Jammeh equally expressed his dissatisfaction over the slow pace of certain cases at the courts. He stressed that despite all efforts by government in providing the much-needed facilities for expeditious trials of the cases, the status quo remains a major hindrance.

While thanking the Almighty God for the day, The Gambian leader congratulated Chief Justice Agyemang for accepting the appointment. He again made it very clear that his appointments are based on merit and nothing else. President Jammeh said he pays particular attention to the judiciary, an arm of the government, due to what he called the fact that it deals with the freedoms and liberties of the people. "Whatever action is taken there," he said, "has a direct bearing on governance and to me as the head of state of this country and that is the reason why I pay particular attention to the judiciary".

" I want to make sure that my conscience is clear whenever somebody is sent to jail and I want to make sure that whenever somebody has to face the ultimate penalty for the ultimate crime he/she has committed, I would go to bed easily knowing that justice has been done," he remarked.

President Jammeh also congratulated Justice Agyemang for being the first woman to serve as chief justice of The Gambia. He observed that when cases are being dragged for so long in the courts, the police and the security forces are also faced with problems. This, he went on, even makes it inconvenient for Gambians to become witnesses because as he puts it, "they [would] tell you they don't want to spend all their time going and coming to the courts to be witnesses to cases that would not end." This, the Gambian leader further observed, makes it always difficult to even get some principal witnesses. "They tend to shy away from becoming witnesses because the legal process in The Gambia takes so long that we tend to lose even our principal witnesses," he said. "It is not only justice being done that is important to anybody who is aggrieved, but done on time. I was shocked when I read a report recently about a visit to the prison indicating that there are many people languishing at the remand wing just awaiting judgment," the president said.

He further observed that there are people who had also appeared just once in court and have until now never appeared again. "These people are supposed to know their fate quickly," he stressed.

Denouncing this as "unacceptable," President Jammeh said the executive has done everything possible in making sure that the judiciary is properly remunerated with incentives put at their doorsteps within their limits. Given the foregoing, the president stressed the need for the judiciary to reciprocate by ensuring speedy dispensation of justice. The Gambian leader also suggested that other courts operate on the same pedestal as the Special Criminal Court with a view to expediting cases in the courts. "It is only in The Gambia that you find murder cases going on for more than four years, coup plotters took almost six years," he stated. "I am here to serve the Gambian people, my country and even what I have belongs to the people of this country. My wealth is when I see Gambians happy and proud, see Africans walk freely in this country without being harassed. When I see people from different parts of the world live peacefully in this country and are not being harassed because of their religion, skin colour; this is what humanity is all about. After all we are the children of the Almighty Allah. So to you my dear sister, it would be a mistake to call you a foreigner in this country. No matter where you come from, as far as I am the president of this country, you are welcome to stay but must respect the laws of the country," President Jammeh further remarked.

He also spoke about the equality of people before the law, saying there shouldn't be any sacred cow in the dispensation of justice. He stressed that whoever faces her, is there because the person is suspected to have violated the laws of this country. "So there cannot be any VIP in the justice delivery system," he concluded. The newly sworn-in CJ, shortly after appending her signatures on the oath book, thanked the Almighty Allah for the opportunity and the Gambian leader for the confidence reposed on her to man this high office. Justice Mabel Agyemang pledged to perform the functions of the Office of the Chief Justice with diligence and devotion to duty. "I recognised that highest honour comes with responsibilities. I pledge to work hard to be focused on the task to ensure adherence to the rule of law as it impacts on good governance. I [will also] carry my colleagues with me in the quest to build a sound and credible judiciary that is respected for its integrity, fairness and justice. I am grateful for the words of encouragement and the genuine expression of appreciation for my work I received from people in justice delivery over the years. The Gambia has contributed to my personal and professional life," she remarked.

While assuring to be faithful and bear allegiance to the Republic of The Gambia according to the laws of the land, Chief Justice Agyemang also promised to execute her duties without "fear or favour, affection or ill-will" according to the constitution and other laws of The Gambia. Speaking earlier, the Attorney General and minister of Justice, Amie Joof, also thanked Justice Agyemang for accepting to lead the judiciary. "Having worked with her, her competence, loyalty and commitment is not questionable. I know she has a vision for the judiciary and that vision will no doubt complement His Excellency's vision," she said.

The Justice minister used the opportunity to call on the security apparatus, notably those enforcing the law, to work with both the judiciary and the Ministry of Justice for the purpose of protecting the government and the people of The Gambia.

Other speakers at the ceremony included the vice president and minister of Women's Affairs, Her Excellency Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy, the ministers of Basic and Secondary Education, Agriculture, Finance and Economic Affairs, Fatou Lamin Faye, Solomon Owens and Kebba S. Touray respectively, who all expressed similar sentiments.