By Gideon Nma Scott, Jr.
“The position of a judge is a sacrificial one, dominated only by the observance of his sacred oath of office, patriotic loyalty to the administration in power, and a conscience that guides him continuously against injudicious speculations and gamble. As Chief Justice Yuoh prepares to retire, her legacy remains firmly rooted in her unwavering commitment to justice, the rule of law, and the protection of judicial independence,” Her Honor Justice Sie-A-Nyene Youh, Chief Justice of Republic of Liberia said on Monday, March 10, 2025, in what I considered, a passionate and farewell address at the opening of the March Term of Court at the Supreme Court of Liberia. This also marks an end of her long service as a judge, an Associate Justice before ascending to the highest seat at the Supreme Court.
Justice Youh is the third Liberian woman to have ascended to top judicial seat in a male dominant judicial community. Cllr. Gloria Musu Scott and Cllr. Francis Johnson Morris we the first two female Liberian lawyer who served in similar position.
As a male dominant society, where women are marginalized or discouraged from venturing in careers, sports and other male-controlled job-related or social activity, only few women like Justice Gloria Musu Scott, Francis Johnson Allison and Sie-A-Nyene Youh, have brave the storm to even think of expressing their interest or volunteering to work in such community and succeed. This is why I think that she deserves a pat on the back. Especially for breaking the camel’s back
In one of her addresses at a court opening in Tubmanburg in 2020, Justice Youh told the court that her stay as a chief justice would be short lived due to age that was creeping on her like gravel ants. For sure, age is a factor that we all have to gavel with as it is now denying us, Liberians, the service of one of our finest judicial luminaries in Her Honor Sie-A-Nyene Gyapay Youh.
Article 72(B) of the 1986 Constitution of the Republic of Liberia states, “The Chief Justice and the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court and judges of subordinate courts of record shall be retired at the age of seventy; provided, however, that a justice or judge who has attained that age may continue in office for as long as may be necessary to enable him to render judgment or perform any other judicial duty in regard to proceedings entertained by him before he attained that age.”
And, as she said that age was not in her favor, Justice Youh turns 70 this June, at which time she will vacate the seat to give way to whomever that is appointed by the President to succeed her.
From my end as a journalist who have silently followed you, please accept my heartfelt congratulations for a job well done. I am proud of you. Maryland County is Proud of you. Liberia is proud of you.
In a reflective and emotional speech, Justice Yuoh recounted her remarkable journey through the judiciary, highlighting the principles of justice and fairness that guided her rise from Associate Justice to the nation’s top judicial officer.
In what is considered her parting statement from her post, Justice Youh said, “”As I stand before you today, delivering my final opening address, I am reminded of the profound responsibility entrusted to me as a custodian of the rule of law. It has been an honor to serve this nation and uphold the Constitution with integrity and impartiality,” noting some high profile cases that shaped her tenure, including pivotal rulings on civil rights protections and the complex balance between privacy and security in the digital age.
For too long Liberian women have sat at the back while their sons, brothers and husbands decide their fate. Many of them were denied education to support their brothers or cousins in school. They were reduced to wife materials while many suffered different forms of abuses at the hands their husband or male relatives. Yet, when given the least opportunity, the ladies will excellently perform over their male counterparts.
I see Justice Youh’s performance at the helm of power in the country’s high court as a module for other women in the legal field to follow. She was not moved by the politics of the day nor was she shaken by insults, threats or intimidation. She was focused in the discharge of her duties. Though at times, some toes felt stepped on, but the one thing on her agenda was to do the business of the Liberia people, which I believe she did according to the letter.
While we push for gender equality and equity, President Boakai should start looking into the female lawyers’ community to select her replacement as there are more serious minded, credible, sound and legal minded female lawyers. Our push to empowering women should not be based on our political affiliation, ethnic or religious relationship with the individual, but should be based on competence, values and deliverable.
As it is said, “When you educate a woman, you educate the world,” which Justice Youh has proven, I want to encourage the government to give more attention to women in and out of school capacity building programs which will empower them to contribute their fair share of social, moral and academic quota to the development of this country. This is proven in areas where women have served as leaders, like former president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. We must put aside our egos and biasness against them and give them the needed support they need to aspire in whatever areas they find themselves.
Bravo, Your Honor, Sie-A-Nyene Gyapay Youh, chief Justice of Liberia, for your service. Your final address marks the end of an era in Liberia’s legal history and sets the stage for the next chapter in the nation’s judiciary.
You have fought a good fight; you have finished your course and I’m sure Liberians are pleased with your service.
The thought of the son of a professional Kru woman.