Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana, Justice Sophia Akuffo has stressed the need for dynamism in the nation’s judicial system. She made this known in her keynote address during the GIMPA law conference held at GIMPA, Accra.
The Chief Justice who is the guest speaker for the two-day conference said, “if we must deliver on this mandate which is the duty we owe to the people of Ghana in whose name and for whose benefit we exercise judicial authority, we must be innovative in our approach.”
She further stated that although the judiciary had problems, they must be addressed to strengthen the country’s democracy adding that authorities must pay attention to the call for reforms to enable the judiciary serve the cause of Justice.
Touching on the issue of corruption, she lamented the disappointment of Ghanaians in the poor performance of the judiciary with regards to Anas’ exposé involving the bribery scandal in the Judicial Service.
“Unfortunately for us, some hold the view that the Judiciary has not performed effectively altogether. They assert that the organ of State has failed to live up to expectation and has given cause for concern…The recent Judicial Corruption scandal uncovered by Anas Aremeyaw Anas, lends credence to the foregoing assertions.”
She therefore appealed to both members of the Judiciary and public to “allow any unfair treatment we have suffered transform us into people who uphold Justice.”
The two-day the conference is under the theme “The Judiciary and its contribution to Ghana after 60: Reflecting on the Past, Analyzing the Present, Preparing for the future.”
The program was organized as part of annual conferences which are to present opportunities to gather community of scholars and academics, experts and practitioners to critically review trends, emerging developments and challenges confronting the law in specific fields.
The event saw many lawyers and Justices including Justice Emile Short, Former Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, Retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana Justice V.C.R.A.C. Crabbe, and Paramount Chief of the Asokore Traditional Area, Dr. Nana S.K.B. Asante, who acted as chairman.
