Chief Justice unveils reforms to enhance Ghana’s Jury System

Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo has unveiled significant reforms aimed at improving the efficiency of Ghana's jury system as the 2025 criminal assizes officially commenced across the country.

At the opening ceremony held at the Law Complex in Accra, the Chief Justice revealed that the pool of eligible jurors has been expanded to include a broader segment of Ghana's population, with a special emphasis on individuals from the private sector.

In line with the reforms, the Judiciary aims to include all qualified citizens, providing a more diverse pool of jurors. The Chief Justice referenced Section 208 of Act 30, which disqualifies anyone convicted of serious offenses, such as treason or felony, from serving as jurors unless pardoned, and voiced concerns about the inadequacy of the annual juror list revision under Section 213 of the Act.

To address these challenges, she explained that after extensive consultations with stakeholders and the media, a reform proposal was developed to streamline and improve the jury system’s functionality.

As part of the administrative measures supporting these changes, the Chief Justice directed that no juror be listed for more than one court at a time, ensuring a fresh and unbiased approach in each trial. She also called for faster trial processes, urging that cases be tried continuously, enabling the courts to complete one case before moving on to the next.

She expressed confidence that these reforms would lead to more effective use of jurors' time and swifter delivery of justice, marking the beginning of a new era in Ghana’s criminal justice system.