In a bold move to strengthen Ghana’s criminal justice system, Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo has announced a sweeping expansion of the country’s jury selection process, bringing onboard all eligible citizens, including professionals from the private sector. This reform is aimed at accelerating trials and fostering greater public involvement in the legal process.
The announcement came during the formal opening of the 2025 Criminal Assizes in Accra on Tuesday, April 16, where the Chief Justice emphasized the need for efficiency, inclusiveness, and accountability in Ghana’s courts.
“We are drawing from a wider pool of eligible Ghanaians to serve as jurors,” CJ Torkornoo said. “This change is designed to eliminate delays and ensure citizens become active stakeholders in justice delivery.”
This strategic shift forms part of broader judicial reforms spearheaded by the Chief Justice, who credited a dedicated planning team for engaging both national and regional stakeholders through media outreach and consultations.
Beyond just broadening the jury base, the Chief Justice also called for stricter enforcement of jury obligations under Sections 222 to 224 of the Criminal Procedure and Other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 30). She cautioned that absences by empanelled jurors would result in loss of eligibility for allowances, describing it as a “day of no work.”
Chief Justice Torkornoo appealed to all legal actors—judges, lawyers, civil society, and the public—to rally behind the reforms. “This is a shared responsibility,” she noted. “We need collective effort to uphold legality, ethics, and due process.”
The expansion of the jury pool is expected to not only enhance transparency in the adjudication of criminal cases but also foster greater public trust and participation in the justice system.
She concluded by reflecting on her one-year leadership as Chief Justice, highlighting milestones achieved with the unwavering support of judges, staff, and citizens.
The event also recognized the efforts of the core planning team for the Criminal Assizes opening, which included prominent judicial figures and directors of court services, ICT, and communication.
As Ghana’s legal system undergoes these reforms, the expanded jury initiative marks a pivotal moment—setting the stage for a more participatory and responsive justice system.
