By Prince Ahenkorah
CHIEF Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo has rolled out new reforms to shake up Ghana’s jury system, amid ongoing legal battles that could see her ousted from her role.
Addressing attendees at the official launch of the 2025 criminal assizes at the Law Complex in Accra, the Chief Justice revealed a major overhaul aimed at streamlining and diversifying the selection of jurors. Previously, the pool had been mainly restricted to folks from the civil service and education sectors, raising concerns about bias and repetitiveness.
“Our revamped approach will cast a wider net, drawing in citizens from various backgrounds to ensure a more balanced and impartial jury,” the Chief Justice announced.
In her drive to ensure fairness, Chief Justice Torkornoo referenced Act 30, which bars individuals with criminal convictions from serving as jurors, unless they’ve been pardoned by the President.
Not stopping there, the Chief Justice also cracked down on the practice of jurors doubling up on trial duties, imposing strict rules to keep each juror focused on one case at a time to avoid unnecessary delays.
Furthermore, court proceedings will now run day-to-day without breaks to speed up the delivery of justice, a move welcomed by legal observers.
Optimism surrounds the reforms, with hopes high for a more efficient justice system that respects jurors’ time and rights. The changes kick off with criminal sessions across all regions, symbolising a fresh start for Ghana’s legal landscape.
Meanwhile, a legal tug-of-war looms as the Supreme Court postpones a pivotal hearing concerning potential ousting moves against Chief Justice Torkornoo, prompted by petitions from President John Dramani Mahama. Supporters argue that the process violates constitutional protocols, sparking a larger debate on justice and governance.
As high-profile legal figures square off in court, the Minority in Parliament rallies religious and traditional leaders to intervene and halt what they call baseless attacks on the judiciary.
“This is a critical moment for Ghana’s democracy. Let us unite and move forward with wisdom,” urged John Darko, Legal Counsel and MP for Suame, cautioning against frivolous attacks that could weaken the nation’s institutions.