Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has underscored the importance of judicial independence, describing it as the backbone of Ghana’s democracy and a safeguard for justice.
Delivering the keynote address at the 44th Annual Conference of the Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana in Accra, Dr. Ayine reaffirmed government’s unwavering commitment to supporting the judiciary in its constitutional mandate. He emphasized that an empowered, independent bench is vital to ensuring public trust and upholding the rule of law.
“As a country, we must recognize that the judiciary’s independence is not negotiable. It is the foundation upon which justice is delivered, and without it, democratic governance cannot thrive,” he declared.
While pledging stronger government support for the welfare of judges and magistrates, Dr. Ayine also stressed the need for reform to address long-standing challenges such as case backlogs, prolonged adjournments, and missing dockets. “Justice delayed is justice denied, and we must act swiftly to restore confidence in our courts,” he noted.
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The Attorney General noted that technology offers practical solutions to many of these challenges, including digitized filing systems, virtual hearings, and case management platforms. However, he cautioned against overreliance on artificial intelligence, warning: “AI can be a useful tool, but it must never replace the reasoning of judges and lawyers.”
Dr. Ayine further outlined five priorities to modernize Ghana’s justice system: expanding e-filing nationwide, institutionalizing virtual hearings, establishing a digital legal knowledge hub, investing in training for judges and staff, and leveraging public-private partnerships to fund judicial digitalization.
He pointed out that despite progress under initiatives such as the e-Justice Project and the adoption of virtual court sittings during the COVID-19 pandemic, many rural courts still lack reliable internet and IT infrastructure. “Without bridging this digital divide, many citizens will continue to be excluded from timely justice,” he warned.
Cybersecurity was also flagged as a pressing concern. According to Dr. Ayine, “The integrity of judicial data is non-negotiable. It must be protected against any form of compromise if we are to maintain public trust in the system.”
The Attorney General also acknowledged the need for continuous capacity-building across the judiciary. Judges, magistrates, registrars, and lawyers, he said, require regular training to adapt to new digital platforms and evolving technological tools.
Dr. Ayine concluded by stressing that judicial reforms will only succeed if there is collective will from all stakeholders. “The Ghanaian people look to us not only to uphold justice but to deliver it in a manner that is timely and transparent,” he stated.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
