The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has called for accelerated adoption of emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), as part of efforts to make Ghana’s justice delivery system faster, more efficient and responsive.
National President of JUSAG, Samuel Afotey Otu, said the Judiciary could harness technology to address longstanding challenges, particularly delays in trials and the growing backlog of cases.
He argued that technological transformation had become critical to the future of justice delivery and urged judicial staff and the public to support the expansion and effective use of the E-Justice system.
“Incorporating technology is no longer a luxury but a necessity,” he stated.
Mr Afotey Otu was speaking in Tamale at a Quadrennial Delegates Conference of JUSAG held under the theme, “Championing Staff Welfare and Technology Anchors of Quality Justice.”
He said the increasing sophistication of digital technologies presented the Judiciary with an opportunity to improve its operations and enhance access to justice.
However, he cautioned against adopting Artificial Intelligence without adequate consideration of its implications for judicial workers, ethical standards and the rights of citizens.
According to him, AI has the potential to bring significant benefits to the justice sector but could also introduce new risks if deployed without proper safeguards.
“AI comes with enormous benefits and threats. The Judiciary needs to study the AI dynamics and explore ways of incorporating ethical, labour-friendly and people-centred approaches to the use of AI in justice delivery,” he said.
He therefore called for deliberate measures to build the capacity of judicial staff to understand and effectively use emerging technologies.
Mr Afotey Otu maintained that technology should complement human expertise rather than undermine the welfare and professional interests of workers within the Judicial Service.
He said a successful digital transformation of the justice system must therefore be accompanied by appropriate policies, ethical guidelines and mechanisms to protect both judicial employees and the public.
Meanwhile, Chief of Staff Julius Debrah has reiterated the government’s commitment to preserving the constitutional independence of Ghana’s Judiciary.
He said President John Dramani Mahama remained committed to ensuring that the Judiciary operated independently as one of the key pillars of Ghana’s democratic system.
Mr Debrah said the 1992 Constitution clearly defines the responsibilities of the different arms of government and requires each to operate within its constitutional mandate.
He stressed that respect for the separation of powers was essential to maintaining democratic governance and strengthening the rule of law.
According to him, the Judiciary must be allowed to perform its constitutional functions without undue interference from the Executive or other arms of government.
The Chief of Staff said protecting judicial independence was necessary to enable the courts to administer justice effectively and maintain public confidence in the justice system.
The two positions highlight twin priorities for Ghana’s justice sector: modernising the administration of justice through technology while simultaneously protecting the institutional independence required for the Judiciary to discharge its constitutional responsibilities.
As Ghana moves towards greater digitisation of public services, JUSAG says the justice sector must not be left behind, but insists that technological advancement must be pursued alongside ethics, staff welfare, accountability and the protection of citizens’ rights.
