Chief Justice Her Ladyship Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo has announced a landmark reform in Ghana’s judicial system, expanding the jury selection process to include all eligible citizens.
The move, revealed during the official opening of the 2025 Criminal Assizes on April 16, is expected to enhance the efficiency and fairness of criminal justice delivery nationwide.
“As we open assizes today, we have expanded the jury list to include all citizens qualified by law, including many individuals in the private sector”.
According to Chief Justice Torkornoo, over time, steps would be taken to further the pool from which juries will be selected.
The reform comes in response to longstanding concerns about delays in adjudicating criminal cases, with the Chief Justice emphasizing that a broader jury pool will improve transparency, public participation, and timely verdicts.
Additionally, judges have been directed to enforce Sections 222 to 224 of the Criminal Procedure and Other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 30), which penalizes jurors who fail to attend court without valid justification.
Chief Justice Torkornoo noted that absence
Of empaneled jurors will now be considered non-working days, affecting eligibility for allowances.
“I pray stakeholders to hold the hand of the judiciary to effect reforms that will enhance legality, ethics, due process, assets, and resources in the justice delivery of the judiciary”.
