Strive for transparency, accountability in judicial process – Acting CJ

Justice Paul K. Baffoe-Bonnie, the Acting Chief Justice, has tasked judges and magistrates to continually strive for transparency and accountability in Ghana’s judicial process to foster public trust.  

“We must continually strive?for transparency and accountability within our judicial system process. Openness in our proceedings, accessibility to information, and a clear understanding of how justice is experienced will foster public trust,” he said.  

“It is only through trust that we can break the divide?between our institutions and citizens we are duty bound?to serve.”  

Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie said this at the opening of the 44th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Association of Magistrates and Judges in Accra on Wednesday.  

The two-day AGM is on the theme: “Leveraging Technology to Enhance Justice delivery.”?  

During the AGM, Judges and Magistrates are expected to share best practices and deliberate on challenges and opportunities that confront them as stewards of justice in the country.  

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie said as custodians of justice, they must be guided by “unbending commitment?of fairness, impartiality and the rule of law.  

“These principles are the bedrock of our justice system and should serve as a compass that guides our decisions and actions,” he noted.  

The Acting Chief Justice said it was also important for them to be attuned to the evolving needs and concerns of diverse citizens.  

“Justice must be accessible to all regardless of their?background, economic status… Our courts should be places where every citizen feels heard and where their rights are protected with unwavering?dedication,” he said.  

“To truly embody the promise of freedom and justice for all citizens, without any prerequisite, we must continually educate ourselves?in adapting to the changing landscape of our society.”  

He asked the judges and magistrates to remain vigilant against any biases that might creep up in their judgements and ensure that their?decisions reflected the ever-evolving understanding of human rights and social justice.  

Mr Samuel Afotey Otu, President of Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG), recounted how judicial systems were undergoing profound transformation, from electronic filing and virtual hearing, adding; “Ghana cannot afford to be left behind.”  

“If we are truly committed to the constitutional?demand that justice must not only be done but seen to be done, fairly, expeditiously and transparently, then technology must become our indispensable ally.”  

Mr Otu said technology continued to offer new possibilities, which the judiciary must commit?to leveraging with seriousness and intentionality to enhance the competences of staff.  

He said while the Judicial Service invested in sophisticated technology, it must simultaneously invest in the people who operated it to ensure holistic justice delivery.  

He appealed to the Judiciary to be wary of cyber security threats and put in place mechanisms to avert hacking and other breaches.  

Professor Raymond Atuguba, the Acting Director, Ghana School of Law, said the use of technology must start from faculties if justice delivery was to be hinged on it.  

The use of technology must animate the entire body of court rules, he noted.  

He expressed worry over the growing concerns that “what the court serves from the crucible is not justice but something else and that the profession is longer honourable.”  

“We badly need to work on these concerns with utmost?urgency,” Prof. Atuguba said.  

Source: GNA  

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