Accra, Ghana — The Chief Justice, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has called for a renewed commitment to reforming Ghana’s justice system, urging that the future of the courts must be defined by speed, accessibility and proximity to the people.
Speaking at the Supreme Court @150 Luncheon held at the Cedi Conference Centre, University of Ghana, Legon, the Chief Justice said the anniversary should prompt honest national reflection on whether the justice system is meeting the expectations of citizens.
“We must ask ourselves honestly: are we where we should be?” “Should congestion and delays still burden our hopes?”
He stressed that the value of the judiciary cannot be measured by longevity alone, but by how effectively it delivers justice to the people it serves.
“The court of today is a living institution,” he stated. “Busier. More accessible and more transparent than ever. That is timely and fair.”
The Chief Justice highlighted ongoing reforms aimed at modernising the justice system, including the introduction of the e-justice programme and digitised court records, which he said are helping to make justice faster, more efficient and more accessible.
He further noted the introduction of extended court sittings under a two-stream system, as well as specialised courts designed to address emerging areas of law and ease pressure on the system.
According to him, these reforms reflect a necessary shift in legal thinking, recognising that the law must evolve alongside society.
“We are acknowledging that the law must grow with society,” he said, adding that ongoing revisions to court procedures are intended to ensure that legal processes support justice rather than hinder it.
He also pointed to efforts to strengthen court infrastructure and security to ensure that justice is delivered in safe and dignified environments, as well as reforms in legal education aimed at widening access while maintaining fairness and quality.
However, the Chief Justice was candid about the challenges that remain within the system.
“We cannot say that all is well,” he admitted. “There are still delays. There are still barriers. There are still moments when justice feels distant to those who need it most.”
He warned that public confidence is weakened when justice is delayed, costly, or inaccessible.
“The next chapter of our court must not be rhetoric. It must not be reform for its own sake. It must be a deep commitment to excellence in the delivery of justice for all.”
He added that the future of the judiciary must be faster, clearer and closer to the people, stressing that delayed justice undermines fairness and access.
In the coming weeks and months, he said, various planning committees will roll out programmes marking the anniversary, including public lectures, a documentary on the court’s historical journey, a commemorative compendium, legal aid outreach to underserved communities, and legacy projects aimed at strengthening institutional memory and public engagement.
“These are opportunities for every Ghanaian, young and old, lawyer and layperson to reconnect with the judiciary and help shape its next chapter,” he said.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com