Judiciary Not Financially Independent – SC Nominee

Justice Senyo Dzamefe

 

Supreme Court nominee, Justice Senyo Kofi Dzamefe, has raised concerns about the financial independence of Ghana’s Judiciary, arguing that its reliance on funding from the Executive and approval by the Legislature undermines its true autonomy.

Appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee yesterday, Justice Dzamefe explained that although the Judiciary enjoys administrative freedom and can make independent decisions, it does not control its own finances.

“When it comes to the Judiciary, yes, we are independent administratively, yes, we are independent, but financially we are not because you [Parliament] give us money – when the budget comes to you, you give what you think we need,” Justice Dzamefe told the committee.

 

Courts Lack Financial Control

Justice Dzamefe stressed that the Judiciary’s inability to manage its own budget limits its effectiveness and exposes it to potential interference from other arms of government. This, he said, weakens the core principle of separation of powers, which is meant to ensure that each branch of government operates independently.

“The Judiciary’s inability to control its own finances means it cannot fully function without outside influence. Full judicial independence requires not only freedom in decision-making and administration but also financial autonomy,” he emphasised.

He added, “A lot has to be done to ensure the Judiciary does its work without any hindrances.”

 

Judges Must Declare Assets

In addition to his concerns about financial independence, Justice Dzamefe called for equal accountability across all arms of government, insisting that judges, like other public officials, must declare their assets in accordance with the Constitution.

“If the law says all government appointees should declare their assets, and judges are government appointees, why not? They have to declare their assets,” he stated.

When asked whether he had complied with this requirement, Justice Dzamefe confirmed that he had done so.

 

Push for Digital Transformation

Justice Dzamefe further pointed out that the Judiciary cannot continue to rely on handwritten records and outdated processes if it aims to deliver timely and effective justice.

“We must go with technology. The time of long handwriting is long gone,” he declared.

He advocated for the adoption of modern systems such as AI-driven transcription tools and voice recording technologies to ensure that court proceedings are documented in real time, making them more accessible and transparent.

“By the end of the day, once the court is done sitting, the records should be ready. We also need to go virtual, so people can testify online. We must keep up with the times, otherwise, we will be left behind,” he emphasised.

 

Proposing Sweeping Judicial Reforms

Justice Dzamefe also proposed wide-ranging reforms aimed at improving the efficiency of the country’s judicial system, including the introduction of fixed timelines for concluding court cases.

He expressed concern about the persistent delays in adjudicating cases, particularly criminal matters, and suggested the enforcement of strict deadlines.

“I also think we must set timelines for cases – for instance, criminal cases should not go beyond three months, and civil cases should be completed within six months. There should be time limits; no criminal case should exceed three months, and no civil case should drag on indefinitely,” he suggested.

He emphasised that implementing fixed timelines would help restore public confidence and ensure timely justice delivery.

 

Investment in People and Infrastructure

Justice Dzamefe further called for significant investment in both judicial infrastructure and human capital, stressing that no reform can succeed without prioritising the welfare and capacity of judicial staff.

“Anybody who wants to maximise productivity must first think of human resources, because that’s a mistake many people make. You must first invest in the people who will deliver the results,” he argued.

Addressing infrastructural needs, Justice Dzamefe advocated the establishment of more courts across the country to ease the caseload burden on existing facilities.

 

By Ernest Kofi Adu

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