President John Dramani Mahama has urged newly-sworn Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, to make the reduction of case backlogs a top priority, emphasising that justice in Ghana must be timely, accessible, and affordable.
Speaking during the investiture ceremony at Jubilee House, President Mahama highlighted delays in the judicial process as a major concern for citizens. He noted that many Ghanaians still experience the justice system as “distant,” “slow,” and financially burdensome.
“Court adjournments, delays in delivering judgments, and complex procedures can turn our courtrooms into places of frustration rather than places of hope,” the President said.
He therefore called on the Chief Justice to place special focus on backlog reduction through modern and efficient reforms. “I therefore urge you, my Lord, in collaboration with the Judicial Council and the Bar, to prioritize the reduction of case backlogs through innovative case management systems,” he stressed.
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President Mahama also outlined specific approaches he believed could boost the efficiency of the judiciary. These included the “expansion and modernization of court infrastructure,” especially in underserved districts, and “the use of technology; e-filing, virtual hearings where appropriate, and digital recordings to improve efficiency.”
He further encouraged the simplification of procedures, particularly for small claims, family matters, juvenile issues, and labour disputes, so that “ordinary citizens are not excluded by technicality.”
READ: “Justice must be fair, accessible, timely and affordable” – President Mahama
The President assured the judiciary of his administration’s support in resourcing the courts to meet these objectives, stating: “As government, we recognize our responsibility to provide adequate resources to support these reforms. We’ll work with your office to ensure that the judiciary is adequately equipped to deliver justice in a modern and efficient manner.”
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
