The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has reaffirmed his commitment to addressing persistent challenges facing Ghana’s judicial system, assuring magistrates and judges that issues of welfare and efficiency will receive priority under his tenure.
Dr. Ayine gave the assurance when he delivered an address at the 44th Annual Conference of the Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana (AMJG) held in Accra on Wednesday.
The event brought together members of the bench, legal practitioners, and stakeholders in the justice sector to deliberate on reforms needed to enhance judicial administration.
In his remarks, the Attorney-General recalled his previous role as Deputy Attorney-General, noting that he had consistently worked to resolve concerns directly with the Ministry of Finance to reduce bureaucratic delays.
He promised to adopt the same approach once again in his current position, stressing his determination to secure resources and support for the judiciary.
According to him, his office would explore avenues beyond government’s budgetary allocation to improve the conditions of service for judges and magistrates, while ensuring that justice delivery remains accessible, timely, and credible.
Speaking on the conference theme, Leveraging Technology to Enhance Justice Delivery, Dr. Ayine underscored the urgent need for Ghana’s courts to adapt to the demands of a digital era.
He observed that while sectors such as finance, health, commerce, and governance had made significant strides in embracing technology, the justice system had been slow to modernise.
He explained that innovations such as electronic filing systems, virtual hearings, digitised law reporting, and case management platforms could reduce delays, improve transparency, and restore public confidence in the courts.
Despite these prospects, Dr. Ayine acknowledged existing obstacles, including inadequate infrastructure in rural courts, insufficient training for judicial officers, cybersecurity risks, and outdated legal frameworks that do not fully support digital operations.
To tackle these challenges, he outlined five key priorities: the nationwide expansion of the e-justice platform, institutionalisation of virtual hearings, establishment of a centralised legal knowledge hub, targeted capacity-building for judges and staff, and public-private partnerships to finance technological transformation within the judiciary.
Justice Henry Anthony Kwofie, President of the AMJG, in his address, drew attention to longstanding frustrations of judges and magistrates over logistical constraints, unpaid allowances, and poor working conditions. He stressed that the welfare of judicial officers must be addressed urgently, warning that neglect in this regard undermines the effective delivery of justice.
The conference, which also featured goodwill messages from the Ghana Bar Association and the Ghana School of Law, emphasised the role of integrity, innovation, and technology in safeguarding the independence and credibility of Ghana’s judicial system.
