Justice Mrs Wood, who is the 2017/2018 Africa Initiative for Governance (AIG) Visiting Fellow of Practice at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, made the call at a Public Lecture titled "Rule of Law, the Promotion of Sustainable Development and Ghana's Experience: A View from the Bench” at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, London.

A statement issued by AIG and copied to the Ghana News Agency said the Lecture was an integral part of her AIG Fellowship stay at the School. It said in October 2017, AIG announced the appointment of Justice Mrs Wood as the 2017/2018 AIG Fellow in recognition of her outstanding contribution to public service in Ghana. 

It said the AIG Fellowship was awarded each year to an individual from West Africa who had demonstrated evidence of outstanding contribution to the public good, through exemplary leadership in public service.

“One key lesson I have learnt is that the imperatives of promoting a Rule of Law based governance system, anchored on a free, fair and impartial administration of justice cannot be overemphasised,” said Justice Mrs. Wood during her Lecture.

“The moderating influence of the Judiciary on the more political branches is the basis of constitutional stability and balance, providing the needed conducive environment for sound economic growth and a better life for all,” she said.“The Judiciary must be accorded the same respect and resources and strengthened to enable it perform its functions.”

Professor Ngaire Woods, Dean of the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, said: “We are honoured to host Justice Wood at the Blavatnik School. We are grateful to her for sharing her outstanding experience of the Justice System in Ghana with our students and faculty.”

Mr Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, AIG Founder and Chairman said: “We are indeed pleased to have Justice Mrs Wood as the AIG Fellow for 2017/2018 and are honoured that we are able to support outstanding senior public service practitioners from West Africa in enriching their understanding of policy, and in sharing their wealth of knowledge to aspiring young people and with the world.”

“AIG’s vision is to be a catalyst for the emergence of a high-performing public sector in Africa and we remain committed to the actualisation of this goal, for the benefit of our continent,” he said.  The statement said the AIG Fellowship was part of a five-year partnership established in 2016 between AIG and the Blavatnik School.

It said in 2016, AIG and the Blavatnik School of Government were proud to announce Professor Attahiru Jega, former Executive Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the inaugural AIG Fellow.

It said in addition to the AIG Fellowships, five scholarships were made available by AIG every year to talented, young West Africans from all backgrounds, who were passionate about the public sector, to pursue the Master of Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government.

The statement said during their time at the Blavatnik School of Government, AIG Fellows had the opportunity to further develop their understanding of specific policy issues and solutions and to reflect on practices in other countries, with a view to returning to their country and helping to build competency and leadership capacity within the public sector, promoting the virtues of good public service and making the public sector attractive to the brightest minds. AIG Fellows would also serve as mentors to AIG Scholars.

AIG is a not-for-profit organisation founded to inspire the transformation of Africa’s public sector. AIG works with governments, academic institutions and other partners to improve governance and transform public sector performance.

AIG’s pioneering initiative brings proven private sector innovation, leadership and funding to the public sector, in a private-public partnership that seeks to attract, inspire and support future leaders of Africa's public sector.

With AIG’s continuing support, these high-calibre individuals will be able to drive best practice standards of governance in Africa, ensuring sustainable economic growth and social justice.