Justice Srem-Sai, Deputy Minister for Justice and Attorney-General, has called on newly appointed boards under the Ministry of Justice to apply their expertise to advancing the Ministry’s mandate and ensuring justice for all citizens.
Ministerial Advisory Board Sworn In
A nine-member Ministerial Advisory Board was officially sworn into office, tasked with providing strategic guidance to the Ministry.
The board is chaired by the Minister for Justice and Attorney-General, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, with Justice Srem-Sai as a key member.
Other members include Mrs. Fati Bodua Seidu, Ms. Alic Priscilla Chnayireh, Dr. Martin Yamborigya, Mr. Ahmed Musah, Ms. Rosemary B. Sahnoon, Dr. Kweku Ainuson, and Mr. Obed Hoyay.
Administering the oath of office and secrecy, Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang of the Supreme Court emphasized the Ministry’s responsibility to guarantee justice for all citizens, regardless of status.
He highlighted the governing board’s critical role in guiding the Ministry’s work and encouraged members to contribute their knowledge and experience effectively.
Council for Law Reporting: Modernizing Legal Access
Justice Srem-Sai later administered the oath to the governing board of the Council for Law Reporting. He urged the board to ensure that law reports are up-to-date and accessible online, emphasizing that reliance on hard copies alone is no longer sufficient.
“We must make our law reports accessible not only to persons without disabilities but also to those with disabilities, so that Ghana’s legal system can be on par with international standards,” he said.
Justice Pwamang, speaking on behalf of the board, pledged to work diligently to elevate the Council’s operations. The Council for Law Reporting includes Justice Victor Jones Dotse, Nuhela Seidu, Enam Korkor Antonio, Margaret Awuku-Gyekye, Professor Peter Atudiwe, Justice Sedinam Awo Kwadam, and Lorn Nuku Ahlijah.
Legal Aid Commission: Expanding Access Across the Country
Justice Srem-Sai also swore in the board of the Legal Aid Commission, highlighting the Commission’s role in promoting equality before the law and expanding access to justice.
He identified key challenges, including funding limitations and the misconception that the Commission deals only with criminal cases.
He emphasized that the Commission must also address civil matters such as divorce and constitutional enforcement.
Justice Srem-Sai encouraged the board to proactively identify individuals and communities in need of legal assistance, pointing out that many people may be unaware that the courts can provide solutions to their problems.
He further noted that about 95 percent of Legal Aid lawyers are concentrated in Accra and Kumasi, leaving other regions underserved, and urged for a more equitable distribution of legal services across all 16 regions.
Professor Raymond Atuguba, Director of the Ghana School of Law and a member of the Legal Aid Commission board, expressed gratitude for the appointment and pledged that members would dedicate their full capacities—physical, mental, and spiritual—to ensuring quality legal services for all.
The Legal Aid Commission Governing Board is chaired by Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu Asiedu of the Supreme Court.
Its members include Mr. Edmund Amarkwei Foley, Executive Director of the Legal Aid Commission, Ms. Stella Ohene Appiah, Ms. Florence Ayisi Quartey, Mr. Prince Boamah Abrah, Ms. Frieda Aniwaah Boateng, Mr. Frederick Gurah Sampson, Chief Superintendent Abdulai Amadu Alichewu, and Mr. Oliver Barker-Vormawor.
