The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has renewed calls for sustained investment in human resource development within the judiciary, arguing that the efficiency of the justice system depends heavily on well-trained and well-supported personnel.
At the launch of the Supreme Court of Ghana’s 150th anniversary celebration in Accra, JUSAG President Mr Samuel Afotey Otu said staff who support the daily administration of justice must be equipped through continuous training and improved conditions of service.
He stressed that strengthening the capacity of judicial staff, alongside better remuneration and welfare for both staff and judges, is critical to sustaining public confidence in the justice system.
The event, held under the theme “Honouring the Past, Celebrating the Present and Defining the Future,” also highlighted the historical evolution of Ghana’s apex court.
Mr Afotey Otu traced the origins of the Supreme Court to 1876 under the Supreme Court Ordinance of the Gold Coast, noting that Sir David Patrick Chambers served as its first Chief Justice. He added that Ghana has since had 28 Chief Justices, with Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie currently heading the judiciary.
He also paid tribute to landmark figures in the judiciary, including Sir Arku Korsah, the first Ghanaian Chief Justice; Justice Philip Archer, who rose from court clerk to Chief Justice; and Justice Theodora Georgina Wood, the first female Chief Justice in Ghana and Africa.
According to him, recent leadership has contributed to strengthening judicial independence, improving access to justice, and advancing digital reforms in court administration.
Delivering a solidarity message, Ghana Bar Association President Mrs Afua Ghartey described the legal profession as deeply rooted in Ghana’s history, noting that formal legal practice dates back to 1864.
She said the anniversary of the Supreme Court also reflects the long journey of the Bar and its role in shaping justice delivery in the country.
Mrs Ghartey urged stakeholders across the justice sector to uphold integrity, remain committed to the rule of law, and continue working collaboratively to strengthen democratic governance.
The ceremony brought together current and former Chief Justices, members of the judiciary, legal practitioners, government officials, traditional leaders, and academics to reflect on the legacy and future of Ghana’s justice system.
