By: Valentia Tetteh
A Supreme Court nominee, Justice Senyo Dzamefe, has proposed the introduction of fixed timelines for the completion of court cases in Ghana, particularly for criminal and civil matters. His proposal aims to reduce delays and improve the efficiency of the country’s judicial system.
Appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, June 16, Justice Dzamefe emphasised the need for a holistic approach to judicial reform, one that prioritises infrastructure, technology, and human capital development.
“Anybody who wants to maximise productivity must first think of the human resource, because it’s a mistake a lot of people make. First, think of people who will give you the product,” he said.
Justice Dzamefe highlighted the challenges posed by the current workload on the courts and called for practical reforms to ease pressure on the system.
“We need more courts so that the job will be spread thin, and it will go faster. After that, we need the working tools outside the courts. We must go with technology. The time of long handwriting is long gone,” he added.
To address documentation delays, he advocated the use of modern tools such as artificial intelligence, voice recording, and transcription systems.
“By the end of the day, once the court is done sitting, the records are ready. We also need to go virtual, so people can testify online,” he said, pointing to the benefits of integrating virtual court proceedings into Ghana’s legal system.
In a notable recommendation, Justice Dzamefe suggested that the judiciary adopt clear timelines for concluding legal proceedings. “I also think we must set timelines for cases so let’s say, criminal cases for three months, and civil cases for six months,” he proposed.
He said, if implemented, the proposed timelines could represent a significant step in restoring public confidence in the justice system and ensuring timely access to justice.
