The Judiciary is set to roll out a series of reforms aimed at easing congestion in the courts, speeding up trials and improving access to justice across the country.
Vice President Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang revealed this after a meeting with the Chief Justice, Justice Baffoe Bonnie, and senior officials of the Judicial Service, who briefed her on the Judiciary’s achievements over the past year and its priorities for the year ahead.
The Chief Justice said the courts will introduce morning and afternoon sittings as part of efforts to clear the growing backlog of cases. He also announced plans to expand Alternative Dispute Resolution services to encourage quicker settlement of cases outside the traditional courtroom process.
Specialised courts are also expected to be strengthened, including Galamsey courts that will focus on prosecuting illegal mining cases. According to the Chief Justice, these courts are intended to ensure faster trials and tougher enforcement of laws related to environmental crimes.
Justice Baffoe Bonnie further disclosed that revisions to the Rules of Court are underway and are expected to take effect by March. He said the changes are designed to modernise court procedures and improve efficiency.
Another major proposal discussed at the meeting is the decentralisation of the Ghana Law School entrance examination. Under the plan, selected accredited law faculties across the country will be allowed to administer a standardised entrance exam, a move expected to widen access and reduce pressure on a single examination centre.
The Chief Justice also raised concerns about security and limited office space at the Supreme Court Complex. He said plans are in place for the construction of a new complex to address these challenges. In addition, efforts are being made to fast track the E Justice system to make it fully operational and improve digital case management.
Vice President Opoku Agyemang expressed her appreciation for the briefing and commended the Judiciary for its work over the past year. She reaffirmed her support for reforms aimed at decongesting the courts and improving efficiency, stressing the importance of timely and accessible justice for all citizens.
