Chief Justice, Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, has announced that Ghana’s jury system is being reformed to include a wider range of eligible citizens, particularly from the private sector, as part of broader efforts to address long-standing delays in criminal trials.
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The announcement came during the opening of the 2025 Criminal Assizes on April 16, where she revealed that the new jury list had already been broadened significantly.
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“As we open assizes today, we have expanded the jury list to include all citizens qualified by law, including many individuals in the private sector,” Chief Justice Torkornoo stated.
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She explained that further expansions to the pool of jurors would be made over time, with the aim of eliminating shortages that slow down the trial process.
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“Over time, steps will be taken to further the pool from which juries will be selected. It is our expectation that the time citizens engage in jury meeting, not being insufficient will change.”
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This change forms part of a broader transformation agenda being driven by the Chief Justice and a team within the judiciary, who have engaged the public and stakeholders at various levels.
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“A team assisted me in proposing solutions and reforms in making the judiciary system more efficient and result-oriented. To get the buy-in of all stakeholders, the team went on to do media and stakeholder engagement on national and regional platforms,” she said.
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Chief Justice Torkornoo also directed judges to strictly apply provisions in Act 30, which set penalties for jurors who skip proceedings without cause. She clarified that jurors would only receive allowances for days they are present in court.
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“In this regard, foremen are respectfully requested to notify all jurors on a panel regarding attendance, well ahead of the court’s sitting,” she added.
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She appealed to all actors in the justice system to join hands with the judiciary in driving these reforms.
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“I pray stakeholders to hold the hand of the judiciary to effect reforms that will enhance legality, ethics, due process, assets and resources in the justice delivery of the judiciary,” she said.
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Reflecting on her first year in office, the Chief Justice expressed appreciation for the support that has made these reforms possible.
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“I am so glad that a year on, by the grace of God and the unrelenting help from colleague judges, citizens, stakeholders, staff and management of the judicial service, we have counted many significant milestones,” Chief Justice Torkornoo concluded.
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The reforms are expected to create a more participatory and transparent judicial system, making justice more accessible and timely for all.
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