The Judicial Service will begin a nationwide digital transformation of the courts from October 1 this year, with electronic filing and authentication of court processes set to become the new standard.
The Chief Justice, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, announced the reforms at the launch of activities marking the 150th anniversary of the Supreme Court of Ghana in Accra yesterday.
He said the rollout would start with the Supreme Court before being extended to the Court of Appeal and the High Courts across the country.
According to him, the reforms are intended to make justice delivery faster, more efficient and more accessible to the public.
He explained that technology was not meant to replace justice but to improve how it is delivered by reducing delays, bureaucracy and unnecessary inconvenience.
The Chief Justice also announced a major review of the country’s Rules of Court, describing it as the most comprehensive reform exercise in more than two decades.
He said the new rules would simplify court procedures, reduce technical barriers and strengthen the administration of justice.
Mr Baffoe-Bonnie added that the recently passed Legal Education Act would enhance legal training and better prepare future lawyers for a justice system increasingly shaped by technology and rising public expectations.
He stressed that reforming the justice system could not be the responsibility of the judiciary alone, and called for continued collaboration among the Executive, Parliament, legal professionals and civil society to deepen public confidence in the justice system.
The Chief Justice also commended the Constitution Review Committee for completing its work after nationwide consultations, expressing hope that its recommendations would strengthen constitutional governance and national institutions.
The Vice President, Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, speaking on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, described the judiciary as one of Ghana’s strongest democratic institutions.
She said the courts had remained resilient through colonial rule, independence and democratic governance by upholding the rule of law and providing certainty for both democracy and economic development.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang noted that the government viewed investment in the justice sector as critical to Ghana’s democratic future.
She disclosed that the Constitution Review Committee had submitted its report to the President after months of nationwide consultations, adding that the government was studying the recommendations and would issue a position paper outlining its response.
She stressed that constitutional reforms must strengthen public confidence, enhance accountability and preserve the balance of Ghana’s constitutional order.
The Vice-President reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working with the judiciary, Parliament, academia and civil society to implement reforms that would improve justice delivery.
The Chairman of the occasion, Togbe Afede XIV, commended the judiciary for its role in maintaining Ghana’s political stability over the past three decades.
He said the Supreme Court had played a vital role in harmonising constitutional and customary law, thereby sustaining democracy and national cohesion.
However, he urged the judiciary to improve access to justice by addressing the high cost of legal services, which he said continued to prevent many Ghanaians from seeking redress.
He also encouraged judges to remain independent, bold and open to reform as the country navigated changing social and technological realities.
The anniversary, held on the theme “Honouring the past, celebrating the present, shaping the future,” brought together judges, lawyers, traditional leaders, government officials and members of the diplomatic community to reflect on the evolution of Ghana’s judicial system and its future direction.
BY AGNES OPOKU SARPONG
