Expert judges to sit at specialised high court division-Judicial Secretary

Ghana’s judiciary is introducing a new specialist division of the High Court, designed to deal more efficiently with some of the country’s most sensitive and high-profile cases.

The Judicial Secretary, Musah Ahmed, says the new courts will operate with a distinct structure, backed by dedicated resources and judges with targeted expertise.

Speaking on The Law on Joy News, Mr Ahmed explained that the initiative is not simply an administrative change, but a shift in how justice will be delivered in complex cases.

The new division will focus on four key areas: corruption and accountability in public office, illegal mining and natural resource protection, recovery of state assets, and organised crime linked to national security.

Officials say these categories reflect growing public concern about the misuse of public funds and the environmental damage caused by unregulated mining.

Rather than appointing new judges, the judiciary is drawing from its existing pool. Many of those selected have already received specialised training in fields such as financial crime, cybersecurity, and maritime law.

Mr Ahmed said this approach ensures that cases will be handled by judges who already understand the technical demands involved.

A significant number of the judges assigned to the division will come from the Court of Appeal, a move seen as a signal of the importance attached to the new courts.

“It tells you the level of experience being brought into this process,” he noted.

The specialist courts were established by Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie through a directive issued earlier this month, under provisions of the Courts Act.

Alongside the creation of the division, the judiciary has also extended High Court working hours. Offices will now remain open from early morning until evening on weekdays, in an effort to manage increasing caseloads.

The reforms come amid criticism over delays in resolving major corruption and illegal mining cases, some of which have remained in the system for years.

Judicial authorities say the changes are part of a broader effort to restore confidence in the system and ensure that cases of national importance are handled more swiftly.

Further adjustments are expected in the coming months, including updates to court procedures and the introduction of new technology aimed at improving efficiency across the justice system.