The Judicial Service of Ghana, led by Lady Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Sackey Torkornoo, has unveiled ambitious plans to establish a court in every district nationwide within the next five years.
This initiative aims to decentralize justice adjudication and enhance accessibility across the country.
In a recent briefing at the Law Court Complex, Chief Justice Torkornoo outlined the service’s strategic vision alongside directors from critical departments such as Archives, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Monitoring and Evaluation, and the Judicial Training Institute (JTI).
Highlighting recent developments, they underscored the Judicial Service’s commitment to modernizing Ghana’s judiciary.
Ghana boasts 468 courts, with significant increases noted across various court categories in recent years. The Chief Justice emphasized plans to expand this network to ensure broader coverage and efficiency in legal proceedings.
“Increasing the number of courts in every district is pivotal to our goal of fostering a robust legal framework nationwide,” remarked Papa K. Maisie, Director for Monitoring and Evaluation at the Judicial Service.
“We are dedicated to enhancing access to justice for all Ghanaian citizens.”
The Judicial Service also addressed gender balance among judges, noting a concerted effort to achieve parity following the passage of the Affirmative Action Bill.
As of the 2023/2024 legal year, female judges accounted for 49.7%, marking a notable increase in representation.
Looking ahead, the service plans to introduce a standardized alphanumeric suit numbering system for cases starting in the upcoming legal year, aimed at improving case management and transparency.
Additionally, partnerships with platforms like African Legal Information (AfricanLii) and local equivalent Ghalii.org will facilitate open access to Ghanaian court decisions, with thousands of judgments already accessible online.
Efforts to archive and preserve judicial records are also underway, with initiatives to digitize and properly store documents across all courts.
Mr. Moses Owereko, Deputy Director for Archives, highlighted ongoing efforts to safeguard historical records and administrative documents.
Technology integration remains a cornerstone of the Judicial Service’s strategy, with over half of Ghana’s courts now automated.
Mr. Noble K. Nutifafa, Director of ICT, confirmed the successful implementation of an e-justice system, which has processed thousands of cases through e-filing, e-payments, and document requests.
In a final announcement, Chief Justice Torkornoo unveiled plans to launch a Small Claims and Debt Recovery Court, which will begin operating on Saturdays starting August 6, 2024.
This initiative addresses the increasing number of debt recovery cases, demonstrating the judiciary’s responsiveness to evolving legal demands.
“The introduction of specialized courts reflects our commitment to ensuring timely and effective resolution of small claims and debt disputes,” Chief Justice Torkornoo affirmed.
The Judicial Service’s comprehensive approach underscores its dedication to advancing judicial accessibility, efficiency, and transparency throughout Ghana’s legal system.
