Judiciary Must Deliver Justice with Integrity and Transparency – Acting Chief Justice

The Acting Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has called on judges, lawyers, and judicial staff to uphold integrity, accessibility, and efficiency as Ghana begins its 68th Legal Year.

Speaking at a reception after a church service to mark the opening, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie urged the judiciary to work together in building a system that ensures justice for all.

“Let this legal year be one in which we discharge our duties with excellence and empathy. Behind every case is a life and a person who deserves our best,” he said.

This year’s Legal Year, themed “Building the Pillars of Justice through Leadership, Innovation and Technology,” runs from October 6, 2025, to July 31, 2026, officially ending the two-month legal vacation.

Several major cases are expected, including challenges to the impeachment of former Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, constitutional interpretations regarding her continued role on the Supreme Court, and prosecutions under the government’s Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) initiative. Cases involving illegal mining (galamsey) are also set to dominate proceedings.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie highlighted innovation and technology as crucial tools for reforming the judiciary.

“Technology enhances transparency by helping litigants track cases, reduces delays through automation, and improves accountability through performance data,” he explained.

He added that innovation must also extend to legal interpretations, ensuring that laws remain relevant and responsive to changing societal realities.

During the church service, the Anglican Archbishop of Accra, Rt. Rev. Dr. Sylvanus Mensah Torto, urged the judiciary to take an active stance against illegal mining, describing it as a moral and environmental fight for justice.

“What is justice if our children must drink chemicals instead of clean water?” he asked. “Judges and lawyers must use their authority to protect God’s creation.”

Quoting Psalm 11:3, he reminded the judiciary that “when justice is shaken, everything else, education, security, and the economy crumbles.”