Private legal practitioner Justice Abdulai has called for increased investment in Ghana’s justice system, saying shortages of judges, court buildings, staff and logistics are affecting the delivery of justice.
Speaking on TV3’s KeyPoints, Abdulai said the challenges facing the judiciary go beyond administrative issues.
“The problems within our justice system go way beyond typing. We do not have enough buildings, we do not have enough judges, we do not have enough staff and we do not have enough logistics,” he said.
He revealed that more than 50 courts across the country currently operate without resident judges, forcing judges from other courts to travel and handle cases.
“Today, I can give you more than 50 courts that do not have judges, and judges have to come from other courts to sit on those matters,” he said.
Abdulai also said some courts are handling more than 500 cases each, making it difficult to reduce the backlog.
“I can give you more than 10 courts that have over 500 cases each. That is practically impossible,” he added.
He described delays in the justice system as a major concern, saying completing a case within two years has become unusual.
“Two years is like a birthday gift to you. If you are able to finish your case in two years, that is something,” he said.
The lawyer recalled inheriting a case that had existed for many years and remained unresolved.
“There was a case I studied in law school, I came and inherited it and I left it behind. This is what we are dealing with,” he said.
