Ghana's Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Dame, has emphasized the need for fairness and equity in the recruitment of staff for the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Speaking at the Annual Conference of States Parties to the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands, on Monday, November 2, Mr. Dame called for a broader geographical and gender balance in recruitment, ensuring high standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

"This will no doubt give equal opportunity to competent nationals of all States Parties to bring their varied experiences and perspectives to bear at the Court to enhance institutional efficiency while ensuring impartiality in the workings of the Court," Mr. Dame explained.

In his address, the Attorney-General also urged African nations to enact domestic legislations that recognize war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide as specific offences. He stressed that this could be achieved either through the domestication of the Rome Statute, allowing national courts to assume jurisdiction over offences defined by the Statute, or through the passage of specific legislation affirming these crimes and prescribing punishments in line with international standards.

"This may be achieved either through the domestication of the Rome Statute into our laws, so that national courts assume jurisdiction over offences created by the Rome statute, or the passage of a specific legislation affirming the creation of such offences with punishment duly prescribed according to international standards and a forum for punishment of same within our respective domestic legal jurisdictions duly stipulated," he said.

Dame at The Hague

Mr. Dame also emphasized the importance of strong national jurisdictions for the effective prosecution of international crimes, acknowledging that the ICC alone cannot address all international crimes.

"The ICC by itself lacks the capacity to investigate and prosecute all international crimes committed in the territories of states," he stated. "The Court must be seen to have its searchlight everywhere and to be responsive to war crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity and the crimes of aggression committed anywhere without equivocation."

Additionally, the Attorney-General commended Ambassador Päivi Kaukoranta and the Bureau for their leadership in guiding the States Parties, thanking them for their diligent work throughout the year. He also recognized the ICC's support for the Africa Centre of International Criminal Justice (ACICJ) at the GIMPA Law School in Ghana, which focuses on promoting international criminal law and justice across Africa and the world.

Mr. Dame led Ghana’s delegation at the conference, which included Ambassador Francis Danti Kotia and Deputy Head of Mission, Yaowi Senalor.

The Twenty-Third Session of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague is scheduled to conclude on December 7, 2024.