Justice Anin-Yeboah
The Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Anin-Yeboah, has disclosed that training in Information Communication Technology (ICT) and other relevant programmes have been planned ahead to make Ghana’s justice system more robust, dependable and acceptable by all.
According to him, the use of teleconferencing equipment that the Judicial Service procured during the height of the COVID-19, has enabled the service to organise virtual hearings in some courts, with incalculable benefits for speed and convenience to all who have to interact with the justice system.
He, however, indicated that technology is nothing without the will and commitment of those who manage it, and, therefore, urged stakeholders in the justice delivery system to renew their commitment as they enter a new legal year.
The Chief Justice said this in a statement at a Church Service in Accra to usher in the 65th Legal Year under the theme: “Improving Access to Justice in a Pandemic through the Use of Technology.”
He said the work of judges and other stakeholders as officers of the law is critical to the very survival of the nation, as justice and the promise of it is the glue that keeps disparate groups and individuals together.
“The idea that there is an institution that is fair, even-handed and predictable, is what keeps us from chaos and gives us the peace of mind to pursue success and happiness. That is why even as the pandemic raged, we had to immediately find ways to keep the wheels of justice turning. Our nation demands and deserves no less,” Justice Anin-Yeboah indicated.
He, therefore, expressed gratitude to his colleague judges, officers and staff of the Judicial Service, the Bar, various institutions and the general public whose hard work, innovation, patience and accommodation enabled the service to continue its vital tasks.
He said while the COVID-19 pandemic may present a less urgent risk now, the lessons from it must inform their work going forward, as the particular demands of COVID-19 brought to the fore the necessity of technology and how the Judicial Service can, even without the demands of a deadly pandemic, utilise digital tools to expand access to justice.
“I am glad to report that the measures that we were forced to take to avoid the spread, will be able to serve us this year and beyond. We were fortunate to have begun the computerisation and automation of courts agenda as well as the e-Justice project in Accra, covering all the High Courts, even before the pandemic broke. With the Ghana Legal Web Library and the e-Judgment system, we opened up access to case law, judgments and relevant materials to all relevant stakeholders. In addition, we have, under the National Digitisation Project, digitised court processes and documents in at least forty-four courts in the country,” the Chief Justice stated.
He added that, “It is my aspiration and hope to extend the arms of justice to a greater majority of the people who need it and to lift our vocation ever higher in the esteem of Ghanaians everywhere.”
The retired Bishop of the Koforidua Diocese of the Anglican Church, Most Rev. Dr. Robert Allotey Okine, who was the guest preacher, encouraged judges and lawyers not to sacrifice integrity for expediency but rather be consistent, courageous to their approach to life and careful about people they associate with.
He commended President Akufo-Addo for the measures put in place to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 and how he prepared the minds of Ghanaians through his ‘Fellow Ghanaians’ series on Sundays, which yielded results.
BY Gibril Abdul Razak