Leadership, innovation, and technology key to future of Ghana’s courts – Acting CJ

Acting Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has stressed that Ghana’s judiciary must embrace leadership, innovation, and technology to strengthen justice delivery in a rapidly changing society.

Speaking at a special church service in Accra to open the 68th Legal Year on Saturday, October 4, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie noted that while the courts must remain symbols of fairness, impartiality, and accountability, they cannot remain static as society evolves.

“To remain relevant, justice delivery must be anchored on three critical pillars: leadership, innovation and technology,” he said.

He explained that judicial leadership extends beyond adjudication, requiring judges, administrators, and court staff to model integrity, humility, and efficiency, while the Bar also carries the duty of advocating responsibly and ethically.

On innovation, the Acting CJ argued that persistent challenges such as heavy caseloads, backlogs, and procedural delays cannot be resolved by maintaining the status quo. He called for simplified procedures, stronger alternative dispute resolution systems, and improved access to justice for vulnerable groups including women, children, and the marginalized.

Touching on technology, he emphasized that tools such as electronic case management and digital registries are now indispensable for justice delivery. “They enhance transparency, reduce delays, and expand access while providing data to monitor court performance,” he said.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, however, cautioned that digitisation must be inclusive, ensuring that rural communities, the elderly, and those without digital literacy are not excluded from the benefits of modern justice systems.