‘Lack Of Public Confidence Hinders Investment, Economic Stability’ Ghanaian Chief Justice Asserts By: Yassah J Wright

The Chief Justice of Ghana, Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, said lack of public confidence and trust in the justice system has the propensity of sending a loud message to hinder investment and economic stability in any country. The Ghanaian Chief Justice told lawyers and judges that the erosion of public confidence in the Judiciary and the Bar should never be countenanced by any constitutional democracy. She made the statement at the African Regional Group Meeting and International Conference of the International Association of Judges (IAJ), hosted by National Trial Judges of Liberia (NTJL),  held at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town.

During the occasion, the Chief Justice delivered her statement on the theme: “Relations between Judges and Lawyer- an Avenue for Improving the Dispensation of Justice.”  Chief Justice Torkornoo curved for corporation and better relationship between lawyers, judges and the public in order to boost public confidence. “Without that confidence (Public) there is a loud message sent to investor that there is an absence of social cohesion, protection of investments and stability of the economy. Without prosperity, democracy will have no justification. People don’t queue to vote for unstable lives. They queue to vote for increased prosperity” she stated.  The conference which is expected to run from May, 5-10, 2024 is hosted under the theme: ” The Judiciary in Contemporary Times dispensing Justice in the new information age.”  The program brought together several legal personalities including, Vice President Jeremiah K. Koung, Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene Yuoh and Liberian Association Justices, President and Members of the Liberian National Bar Association, Liberia Female Lawyer, diplomatic Community among others.  Ghana Chief Justice Torkornoo said Judges are not permitted to act in a manner that allows the interest of one party to the proceedings to be projected to the detriment of the other party. She indicated that if a judge fails to uphold these values and principles of judicial conduct when exposed and proved, leaves judges amenable to removal for misconduct. “Within the polemics of Ghanaian society, there are constant expressions of suspicions that the bench is not as sacrosanct as required” Ghana Chief Justice Torkornoo empathized. Chief Justice Torkornoo noted that these expressions are extremely unfortunate, because they undermine the development of a healthy environment for the rule of law. However, Chief Justice Torkornoo stated that deep or shallow that erosion is and it is the duty of all role Players in the administration of justice to take steps to restore confidence in the dispensation of justice.