A security analyst, Nana Kweku Ofori Atta, is calling for sweeping reforms to Ghana’s justice system, urging the Chief Justice to prioritise judicial impartiality and specialised courts to improve the quality and efficiency of justice delivery.
In a public appeal addressed to the head of the judiciary, Ofori Atta said impartial judgment delivery and judicial specialisation were “critically interconnected pillars” necessary for building a resilient and credible justice system.
He argued that public trust in the courts depends largely on judges being able to deliver decisions free from political, economic, or social pressure.
“Justice delivery must be free from all forms of influence—whether internal or external,” he said, stressing that judicial independence remains the foundation of fair trials.
According to him, any form of bias, personal interest or prosecutorial misconduct must be confronted early to protect the integrity of the legal process.
Ofori Atta also warned against what he described as “chilling effects” on judicial independence, where judges fear disciplinary or personal consequences for delivering unpopular but lawful rulings.
He said such an environment could encourage “coerced or convenience-based judgments” that undermine the rule of law.
The analyst further emphasised the need for evidence-based decision-making and equality before the law, noting that courts must not favour the powerful or disadvantage vulnerable groups.
Beyond independence, he advocated judicial specialisation to handle increasingly complex cases involving cybercrime, intellectual property, financial crimes, and emerging technologies.
“As society, commerce, and technology evolve, legal disputes demand specialised judicial expertise,” he said, adding that the absence of such expertise could lead to miscarriages of justice, delays, and inconsistent rulings.
He proposed the creation of specialised courts or divisions, particularly for cybercrime, to ensure consistency in sentencing and better handling of digital and electronic evidence.
Ofori Atta also called for continuous training for judges in areas such as digital forensics, data protection and cyber investigations to preserve evidentiary integrity in technologically driven cases.
He noted that while specialisation could improve efficiency, it should be balanced with a broad understanding of general legal principles to avoid “judicial tunnel vision.”
The analyst further urged reforms to legal education, especially at the Ghana School of Law, to reflect emerging fields such as artificial intelligence governance, fintech regulation, cyber law, and transnational crime.
He said updating the curriculum and incorporating practical, skills-based training would better prepare future judges and lawyers for the realities of modern legal practice.
“To uphold the integrity of justice delivery, Ghana’s judiciary must advance toward a model that guarantees both unwavering impartiality and the specialisation necessary to resolve complex disputes,” he said.
Ofori Atta concluded that strengthening the judiciary would ultimately support national development, stating that “a better judiciary is a better Ghana.”
By paqmediagh/Peter Quao Adattor
