The Constitution Review Committee (CRC) and the Judiciary have held a pivotal four-hour meeting aimed at exploring critical reforms in Ghana’s judicial system. The engagement, held on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at the Judicial Service Administration Conference Room, was chaired by Acting Chief Justice and Chief Justice-nominee, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie.
The meeting was described as “frank, constructive, and reform-oriented” by Henry Kwasi Prempeh, Executive Director of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), who praised the session for its depth and relevance.
“The long-awaited engagement between the Constitution Review Committee and the Judiciary took place yesterday... It was chaired by Acting Chief Justice and Chief Justice-nominee His Lordship Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, and it addressed wide-ranging issues concerning the administration of justice in Ghana,” Prempeh stated in a press release.
Key Issues Discussed
The meeting covered numerous significant topics central to judicial reform, including:
- The size and jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and other superior courts
- Administrative roles and powers of the Chief Justice
- Procedures for the appointment and removal of Superior Court judges
- Public trust and perceptions of the judiciary
- Challenges in the Lower Courts, including judicial staffing and access to justice
- Financial independence of the Judiciary
- Roles of the Judicial Secretary and the Judicial Council
Prempeh emphasized that the discussions mirrored the CRC's broader reform agenda, which seeks to strengthen Ghana’s democratic institutions through stakeholder consultations.
“In line with the CRC’s national reform orientation, the deliberations were open, incisive, and highly constructive,” he added.
Broad Participation
The meeting brought together a diverse representation from across the judicial system, including:
- Justices of the Supreme Court
- Judges of the Court of Appeals and High Court
- Magistrates and judges from Circuit and District Courts
This inclusive approach was aimed at gathering insights from all levels of the judicial hierarchy to inform potential constitutional amendments.
Ongoing Stakeholder Engagements
The CRC has been conducting targeted consultations with key state institutions following its nationwide zonal public engagements, which concluded in early August.
“Since wrapping up its zonal engagements, the CRC has held consultations with the Council of State, the Trades Union Congress (TUC), and the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA),” Prempeh noted.
This meeting with the Judiciary is seen as a critical step in the ongoing constitutional review process, particularly as calls for judicial accountability and transparency continue to grow.
Source: MyNewsGH.com
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