Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie
More than 100 District Courts across the country are reportedly operating without magistrates, resulting in prolonged delays in the hearing and determination of cases in communities across all 16 regions.
A judge, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, disclosed that some of the affected courts had reportedly gone for more than eight months without regular sittings.
The development, according to the judge, is creating serious challenges for the administration of justice, with litigants, accused persons, victims and witnesses being forced to wait for court proceedings to resume.
The judge said the situation was particularly worrying because the affected courts serve communities where residents may have limited access to alternative courts.
134 Shortlisted
The judge disclosed that 134 applicants had been shortlisted for appointment as magistrates as part of efforts to address the shortage.
According to the source, the Chief Justice submitted the list to the President for approval in June 2026.
However, the approval was reportedly still pending, leaving several courts without magistrates and communities waiting for regular court sittings to resume.
The judge could not immediately establish the reason for the delay but said the situation required urgent attention.
Eight-Month Wait
The source said some communities had reportedly gone for more than eight months without regular court sittings.
The prolonged absence of magistrates has implications for both criminal and civil cases, particularly where accused persons, victims, witnesses and litigants are required to appear before the courts.
The judge explained that although court registries and other administrative structures might continue to operate, the absence of a magistrate makes it difficult for substantive judicial proceedings to take place.
Litigants Suffer
The situation is also reportedly putting additional financial pressure on litigants who may have to travel to other jurisdictions to pursue their cases.
Such journeys could involve transportation costs, loss of income and other expenses, especially for residents in rural communities.
The delays could also affect witnesses and other parties who may have to make repeated arrangements to attend court whenever a sitting is eventually scheduled.
National Concern
The reported spread of the shortage across all 16 regions has raised concerns about access to justice and the growing possibility of case backlogs.
The judge said there was an urgent need for the relevant authorities to address the vacancies and ensure that qualified magistrates were appointed and deployed to the affected courts.
The source also called for clarity on the current status of the 134 shortlisted applicants and when they would be approved, appointed and deployed.
The judge stressed that a shortlist alone could not resolve the problem, as the applicants must go through the necessary processes before they can begin sitting as magistrates.
Meanwhile, communities affected by the shortage continue to wait for regular court sittings and the determination of cases.
The development has renewed concerns about the ability of the justice system to provide timely and accessible justice to citizens across the country.
FROM David Afum, Kumasi