Chief Justice Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has sworn in a total of 133 legal practitioners as Notaries Public.
He urged them to uphold the highest standards of integrity, truthfulness and accountability in the discharge of their duties.
Among those sworn in was constitutional lawyer John Quayson, alongside other senior members of the legal profession who have met the stringent requirements for appointment under Ghana’s Notaries Public Act, 1960 (Act 26).
Administering the oath at a ceremony in Accra on July 23, the Chief Justice reminded the newly appointed Notaries Public that the office is built on the principles of truth, diligence and professionalism.
He stressed that their responsibilities including administering oaths, witnessing and authenticating signatures, attesting documents and certifying legal instruments must always be carried out with humility, impartiality and an unwavering commitment to justice.
“Every act performed by a Notary carries legal significance and must reflect the highest ethical standards,” he stressed.
The President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), Mrs Afua Ghartey, described the appointment as a significant milestone in the professional careers of the new Notaries Public.
Referring to Section 1 of the Notaries Public Act, 1960 (Act 26), she noted that the authority vested in the Chief Justice to appoint Notaries Public demonstrates the importance of the office and the confidence placed in those selected.
She encouraged the newly sworn-in officers to seek mentorship from experienced practitioners while remaining committed to the core values of honesty, reliability, independence and professional excellence.
Mrs Ghartey also cautioned them against allowing personal relationships or external pressures to influence their decisions, reminding them that every document they authenticate or signature they witness carries legal consequences that could affect individuals, businesses and institutions.
Notaries Public facilitate critical legal processes, including property transactions, inheritance matters, statutory declarations and the authentication of documents required for international education, employment, investment and business activities.
A Prestigious Appointment in Ghana’s Legal Profession
Under the Notaries Public Act, 1960 (Act 26), only lawyers of proven integrity and substantial experience are eligible for appointment as Notaries Public.
Unlike judicial appointments, where lawyers may qualify to become District Court judges after as little as two years at the Bar, appointment as a Notary Public generally requires a minimum of 10 years’ standing at the Ghana Bar, making it one of the most respected professional recognitions available to senior lawyers.
Legal practitioners note that although the office was historically viewed primarily as a public service role, the growing number of international transactions, cross-border investments and demand for authenticated legal documents has significantly increased the relevance and importance of notarial services in recent years.
Appointment as a Notary Public is also regarded as a mark of professional credibility and good standing. Candidates undergo extensive background and character assessments before appointment, with clearance required from the appropriate judicial and state security institutions to confirm their integrity and professional conduct.
The vetting process is widely regarded as comparable to the due diligence undertaken for judicial appointments.
The swearing-in of the 133 Notaries Public therefore represents not only an expansion of Ghana’s notarial services but also the admission of experienced legal practitioners into one of the country’s most trusted legal offices, where integrity, impartiality and public confidence remain paramount.
