Acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has called on Judges and Magistrates to handle cases involving illegal mining, drug trafficking, and drug abuse with urgency, impartiality, and seriousness to strengthen justice delivery.
“Where there is evidence, the law must be applied without fear or favour. No person—and I mean no person—regardless of political affiliation or social status, should be immune to justice,” he said.
He made the call at the opening of the 44th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana in Accra, held under the theme: “Leveraging Technology to Enhance Justice Delivery.”
The Acting Chief Justice expressed concern over public perceptions that sentences for environmental and drug-related offences were either too lenient or inconsistently applied. He stressed the need for harmonised sentencing to ensure deterrence, fairness, and public confidence.
“We must fiercely guard our independence from external pressures, be they political, commercial or social. Our integrity is the bulwark that assures the public that justice is not for sale,” he added.
He announced that the Judiciary would strengthen the specialised courts established under former Chief Justice Georgina Wood and set up additional designated courts to address the growing number of cases on galamsey, environmental degradation, and drug offences. These, he explained, would ensure swift adjudication and enhance public trust.
“Beyond our courtrooms, the judiciary must serve as a moral compass. Through our judgements, speeches and engagements with civil society, we must amplify the message that illegal mining and drug abuse are not only criminal offences but betrayals of our collective future,” he said.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie also revealed plans to enhance judicial training to equip Judges and Magistrates with knowledge on emerging threats, including new methods of drug trafficking, cyber-related criminal networks, and the complex corporate structures used to conceal illegal mining operations.
On public outreach, he said the Judicial Community Outreach Programmes would expand to cover issues of environmental justice and drug abuse. However, he cautioned that the Judiciary could not win the fight alone, calling for broad national collaboration.
“Let us not underestimate the ripple effect of our judgements, our diligence and our courage. Every ruling grounded in justice strengthens the foundation of a law-abiding society,” he said.
Charging the bench to be steadfast, the Acting Chief Justice urged them to commit to a “Judiciary that is proactive, principled and unyielding in the face of impunity.”
“Let history remember that during a time of national crisis, the bench did not look away,” he added.
He encouraged participants to leave the AGM with a renewed commitment to strengthening the rule of law and safeguarding citizens’ liberties.
Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic A. Ayine, acknowledged challenges confronting the Judiciary and pledged to work with the Ministry of Finance to address them.
President of the Ghana Bar Association, Mrs Efua Ghartey, described Judges and Magistrates as the “conscience-keepers” of the nation, reminding them that their role was to ensure “truth is not drowned out by power, and fairness is not silenced by convenience.”
“When Judges and Magistrates act with courage and integrity, public trust deepens and the moral foundations of the nation are strengthened,” she said, urging them to embrace technology to make justice more accessible.
Justice Henry Anthony Kwofie, President of the Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana, also stressed that digital tools could significantly improve efficiency, accessibility, and transparency in justice delivery. He, however, lamented challenges facing members of the bench, including delayed allowances, unpaid medical bills, and the lack of vehicles, drivers, and fuel support.
He noted that some judges had been financing official duties out of pocket for years without reimbursement.
At the AGM, thirteen retired Judges and Magistrates were honoured with awards for their dedicated service.
