The Chief of Staff with officials of JUSAG at the 2nd Quadrennial Delegates’ Conference in Tamale
The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG), has held its 2nd Quadrennial Delegates’ Conference in Tamale, Northern Region.
The conference, which was held on the theme: “Championing staff welfare and technology; anchors of quality justice,” brought together staff of JUSAG across the country.
The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, who represented President John Dramani Mahama at the event, indicated that the President remains steadfast in his respect for the independence of the Judiciary.
“Our Constitution gives the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary distinct responsibilities, but binds all three to one national purpose: upholding the rule of law and serving the people.
“Government will continue to work constructively with the Judiciary, respecting its autonomy while supporting better administration of justice and wider access for every Ghanaian,” he said.
According to him, the strength of a justice system is not only measured by the quality of its laws and the independence of its judges, but also by the conditions under which its staff work.
Mr. Debrah stressed that technology must bring justice closer to the people, adding that government will support the Judiciary’s digital transformation to reduce delay.
“Whether a Ghanaian lives in Accra, Bolgatanga, Ho, Wa, Takoradi or Tamale, that person deserves a system that is timely and accessible. Government will continue to support the Judiciary’s digital transformation through expanded electronic filing, integrated case management, secure digital payments and the responsible use of virtual hearings. Digital reform must go beyond replacing paper with computers. Its purpose is to reduce delay, improve transparency and renew public confidence,” he hinted.
The Chief of Staff, however, called for a collective collaboration amongst stakeholders for active justice system.
“The administration of justice is a shared national responsibility. It requires collaboration among the Judiciary, Executive, Parliament, the legal profession, organised labour, civil society and the public servants who keep the system functioning. Working together with mutual respect and within the Constitution strengthens confidence in democracy. That is how institutions earn lasting trust,” he added.
Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie also commended government for the passage of the Judicial Service (Terms and Conditions of Service) Regulations, 2025 (C.I. 141), adding that it represents an important step in that direction and provides a more structured framework for addressing matters concerning the conditions under which members of the Judicial Service work and serve.
“An institution that expects loyalty from its people must itself demonstrate that it is worthy of that loyalty. That is a principle which extends well beyond the Judicial Service,” he said.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie stated that technology, when properly deployed, should not make justice more complicated but rather should make justice simpler, faster, more accessible and more accountable.
“A sophisticated digital platform cannot substitute for integrity. An efficient case-management system cannot substitute for diligence. Artificial intelligence cannot substitute for the human judgment required to understand that behind every case is a human being whose liberty, property, livelihood, family or future may be profoundly affected by what we do.
“The danger, therefore, is not that technology will enter the Judiciary. The greater danger would be that, in allowing technology to transform our processes, we should forget the humanity which gives those processes their purpose. We must digitise our systems without dehumanising our justice. That distinction will become increasingly important as technology assumes a greater role in the administration of justice,” he cautioned.
FROM Eric Kombat, Tamale