The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, has called for sustained efforts to strengthen Ghana’s judiciary, urging judicial officers to uphold integrity, independence and fairness as the country marks the 150th anniversary of the Supreme Court.
Speaking at the Supreme Court @150 Anniversary Lecture Series at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, Dr. Amoakohene described the anniversary as a celebration of Ghana’s rich judicial heritage and a reminder of the collective responsibility to preserve and strengthen the country’s justice system.
He said the judiciary stands as one of the pillars of Ghana’s constitutional democracy, built on the enduring principles of fairness, accountability, integrity and the rule of law.
“We honour the sacrifices of those who came before us while reaffirming our duty to leave behind a judiciary that is stronger, more accessible, more efficient and more trusted than the one we inherited,” he said.
Dr. Amoakohene pledged the support of the government in promoting judicial independence and upholding the values that underpin the administration of justice.
Speaking on the significance of justice, he noted that the concept extends beyond constitutional governance and is deeply rooted in moral and religious traditions.
Drawing examples from the Bible, he said figures such as Moses, Deborah and Samuel demonstrated the importance of protecting the vulnerable, ensuring fairness and upholding truth, principles he said remain relevant to judicial officers today.
“The highest calling of every judge is not merely to interpret the law, but to be a voice for fairness, a voice for the powerless and a guardian of truth,” he stated.
The Regional Minister commended the Judicial Service for reforms introduced in recent years, including the digitalisation of court processes, specialised courts, improved case management systems and the increased use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR).
According to him, these initiatives have improved efficiency, reduced procedural delays and expanded access to justice for many Ghanaians.
He, however, called for further reforms, including the decentralisation of judicial services to bring justice closer to communities across the country.
Dr. Amoakohene also advocated the establishment of more specialised courts, particularly sanitation courts, to help address growing environmental sanitation challenges in districts.
In addition, he urged the Judicial Service to expand the use of ADR mechanisms across all levels of the justice system, describing them as faster, less adversarial and more cost-effective means of resolving disputes.
He stressed the need for cases to be determined within reasonable time, noting that delayed justice undermines public confidence in the legal system.
Addressing young lawyers, magistrates, judicial officers and law students, Dr. Amoakohene urged them to uphold the highest ethical standards, saying the future of Ghana’s judiciary will depend
Source: www.kumasimail.com
