Supreme Court nominee Justice Philip Bright Mensah has strongly advocated for better remuneration and improved working conditions for judges at the lower court level. He believes these enhancements are crucial to improving access to justice, particularly in Ghana’s rural and under-resourced communities.
Appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, Justice Mensah highlighted that poor conditions of service are a key factor discouraging many competent lawyers from accepting appointments to the lower courts.
“The key to solving the shortage of judges in rural areas is to make lower court appointments more appealing,” he stated during the vetting session.
Justice Mensah explained that although lower courts manage the bulk of the nation’s judicial workload, most legal professionals prefer to serve in the superior courts due to better incentives and prestige. By improving conditions at the grassroots level, he believes more legal talent would be drawn to serve where their contributions can have the greatest societal impact.
He added that enhancing the capacity of the lower judiciary could significantly reduce the case backlog burdening courts nationwide, improving the speed and quality of justice delivery across Ghana.
Proposal to Increase Supreme Court Membership
Justice Mensah also proposed expanding the number of Supreme Court justices from the current number to 20. He emphasized that the court handles up to seven separate constitutional and legal responsibilities, putting immense pressure on its members.
“A larger bench would increase the court’s capacity to manage its responsibilities efficiently and deliver timely judgments,” he explained.
Judicial Independence
Touching on judicial independence, Justice Mensah reaffirmed the principle that judges are expected to rule based solely on law and facts. However, he acknowledged that in practice, some external influences may occasionally impact judicial proceedings.
Justice Mensah is among seven Supreme Court nominees presented by President John Dramani Mahama for parliamentary approval. His vetting comes amid broader discussions on reforming Ghana’s judiciary to enhance public trust and access to legal services.
Source: theghanareport
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