A new wave of judicial reform is sweeping across Ghana as Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo officially expanded the jury system to include a broader range of citizens. Speaking during the opening of the criminal session of assizes in Accra, she declared a major step toward the expeditious adjudication of criminal cases. For decades, Ghana’s jury pool was mostly limited to clerical staff from public institutions and occasional education officers, creating a bottleneck that resulted in jurors handling multiple cases over long periods. Some even served over a decade, turning them into unofficial “career jurors,” which contradicts the core idea of involving ordinary citizens in the justice process.
This latest reform aims to open up the selection process to all legally qualified individuals, including private sector professionals. By widening the net, the judiciary hopes to enhance fairness, inject fresh perspectives, and reduce delays in court processes. These changes are part of a broader administrative transformation geared towards restoring efficiency and credibility in the justice system.
The criminal session of assizes has now been launched across all regions of Ghana, marking a departure from the long, drawn-out proceedings that previously characterised criminal trials. Under the new system, trials will be conducted daily, with courts expected to hear and complete one case before starting another. This adjustment is designed to make better use of jurors' time and ensure swift delivery of justice.
During the first session in Accra, a seven-member jury was empanelled to oversee a high-profile case involving conspiracy to commit murder and attempted murder. Justice Ruby Aryeetey, who presided over the case, stressed that no juror should serve in more than one court simultaneously. This move is to prevent jurors from being overburdened and to uphold the quality and integrity of the trial process.
The reforms also include the strict enforcement of Practice Directions on Effective Case Completion Planning Strategies and Jury Trials. Judges are mandated to comply fully with these guidelines to avoid unnecessary delays. Prosecutors are also expected to file complete case disclosures before jury selection, which would help inform plea decisions and reduce trial times. The Chief Justice emphasised that timely disclosures will prevent situations where jurors are present in court without any real progress being made on cases.
In special instances, such as trials for offenses like rape that are not punishable by life imprisonment, judges may opt to try cases with the help of assessors instead of a full jury. This would further reduce the number of people required for court sittings. Since assessors and jurors share the same qualifications, they can be drawn from the same expanded pool of eligible citizens.
This reform marks a turning point in Ghana’s justice system, aiming to restore trust, improve court efficiency, and ensure that justice is both timely and fair. With the new system now active across the country, many hope it will reduce the backlog of cases and bring lasting change to the legal landscape.
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