Chief Justice pushes for quicker and more open justice as Supreme Court turns 150
Addressing the event in Accra on Thursday, 16 April 2026, he said the judiciary cannot rely only on its history and must instead be judged by how effectively it serves the public today.
The Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has used the launch of Ghana’s Supreme Court’s 150th anniversary to press for a justice system that works faster, reaches more people and earns stronger public confidence.
Addressing the event in Accra on Thursday, 16 April 2026, he said the judiciary cannot rely only on its history and must instead be judged by how effectively it serves the public today.
For him, the real test of the courts lies in whether justice is delivered promptly, transparently and without needless obstacles. He warned that delays, congestion and barriers to access continue to weaken the system and must be confronted directly.
Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie said the anniversary should stand not only as a celebration of judicial longevity, but as a renewed pledge to build a judiciary that Ghanaians can trust.
He pointed to persistent concerns within the courts, including backlogs, manual procedures and the practical burdens that cost, distance and time place on litigants. In his view, these are not minor inconveniences but structural problems that affect the quality of justice itself.
That is why, he argued, reform can no longer be treated as optional.
The Chief Justice highlighted a number of measures already underway to improve the system. These include the E-Justice Programme, which is introducing digital filing, electronic records and virtual hearings, as well as the Two Streams system, intended to allow for extended court sittings and faster case handling.
He also referred to the creation of specialised courts and ongoing revisions to the Rules of Court, saying procedure must support justice delivery rather than slow it down.
His broader warning was that institutions do not remain relevant simply because they are old. Without renewal, he suggested, even the most respected institutions can begin to decline.
The 150th anniversary of the Supreme Court is being marked under the theme, Honouring the Past, Celebrating the Present, and Defining the Future, with activities expected to include public lectures, legal aid outreach and other programmes aimed at deepening public engagement with the justice system.
