CJ wants action on judicial reforms

Justice Georgina T. Wood, Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana addressing participants at the ILAC meeting in Accra.


By William Yaw Owusu


Chief Justice Georgina T. Wood says African governments must step up efforts to reform their judicial systems and harmonize laws on the continent to bring about improved human rights and security as well as ensure accelerated development.

“The tremendous benefit derived from cooperation and mutual consolidation of African judicial systems is not difficult to fathom because it will foster trade and ease legal barriers for the people to also explore.”

The Chief Justice was speaking at the 8th annual general meeting of the International Legal Assistance Consortium (ILAC) in Accra on Thursday.

ILAC which was started in 2002 is a consortium of NGOs providing technical legal assistance to post conflict countries and has more than 40 member organizations representing over three million judges, prosecutors, lawyers and the academia.

Justice Wood said legal challenges inhibiting accelerated development were not peculiar to any one country particularly when the world is developing into a global village saying “collaboration and mutual consolidation of Africa’s judicial system is not an impossibility.”

She said if that was done it would strengthen regional integration and bridge the gap between the regional block and make Africa a powerful force.

She said once government and the people were determined to make constitutional democracy work in Ghana there was the need for all institutions to complement efforts towards the realization of such goals.

Amarkai Amarteifio, Consul General of the Swedish Embassy in Ghana whose government funded the meeting said Ghana and Sweden had played commendable roles in international humanitarian and peace building efforts saying “the ILC’s noble activities needs the support of all governments.”

Paul Hoddinott, Chairman of ILAC said Ghana had been involved in activities of the consortium for many years and was hosting the meeting to recognize her contributions towards the development and enhancement of rule of law and the promotion of human rights.

“Ghana is a beacon and has the best justice system in West Africa. It is a peaceful and stable country. It has a vibrant and welcoming people and it is striving to improve its economy and better the lot of its people.”

Ebo Quarshie, former president of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) and ILAC Local Chairman noted they were working towards the achievement of a strong legal system which will inspire the people.

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