Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkonoo, the Chief Justice, has expressed concerns over the growing land litigation in the country which in her words “have taken over our courts.”
She says she is worried that the judicial system has been inundated by land issues, adding that the development has given the impression that the justice system can be manipulated for financial gains.
According to her, the justice delivery process which was meant to be sacred now exploits citizens who seek justice.
“As Chief Justice, I am particularly disturbed by the way in which land litigation seems to have taken over our courts and the general impression that all is fair in money-making such as even the sacred process of justice delivery is subjected to exploitation of the citizen,” she said at a judicial forum on Sunday, September 29, 2024.
The Chief Justice’s remarks come at a time when land disputes in Ghana have surged, with increasing cases of fraudulent land deals, ownership conflicts, and encroachment.
These disputes have placed a heavy burden on the judiciary, causing delays in case resolution and straining the court system.
She urged the staff of Ghana’s judiciary to uphold a strong sense of conscience, diligence, and integrity in their work, stressing that these values are essential not only for judges, whose basic qualification is moral character and proven integrity, but also for all judicial staff.
The Chief Justice stressed that integrity is a non-negotiable quality in justice delivery and that the entire judicial system relies on it.
She also called on the staff to be sensitive to their duties, recognising that justice must always be administered in accordance with the law.
Ghana’s legal framework, she noted, is complex, sophisticated, and diverse, making it crucial for those in the judiciary to thoroughly understand its structure.
She warned against complacency, stressing that the judiciary “cannot afford to have individuals who lack diligence, competence, or the willingness to learn.”
Furthermore, she cautioned against adopting a “money-making mentality,” which undermines the integrity of justice delivery.
‘Peace without justice is pure sham’ – Former Peace Council Chair
