Supreme Court @150: Chief Justice Warns Delays and High Costs Threaten Justice Delivery
Chief Justice calls for urgent reforms to address delays, high legal costs, and limited access to courts
- Chief Justice warns that delays, high costs, and limited access continue to undermine public confidence in the justice system
- He urges the judiciary to move beyond rhetoric and focus on real
- Emphasis on faster, simpler, and more accessible courts to bring justice closer to ordinary citizens
Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has raised concerns about persistent challenges within Ghana’s justice system, warning that delays, high legal costs, and limited access continue to weaken public confidence in the courts.
Speaking at the launch of the Supreme Court’s 150th anniversary in Accra on Thursday, April 16, he acknowledged that despite progress over the years, critical gaps still exist.
“We cannot say that all is well… there are still delays and barriers, and at times justice feels out of reach for those who need it,” he said, stressing that confidence in the system suffers when justice is either delayed or too costly.
Paul Baffoe-Bonnie urged the judiciary to move beyond symbolic reforms and focus on meaningful, measurable changes that improve justice delivery.
He emphasised the need for a system that is faster, simpler, and more accessible to ordinary citizens.
According to him, prolonged delays undermine justice, noting that “delayed justice is diluted justice,” while complex procedures make the system inaccessible.
He further called for bringing the courts closer to the people, warning that when justice is distant, it effectively denies citizens their rights.
