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Ghana's justice system faces significant challenges, including judge and facility shortages
via GhanaWeb1 min read
Private legal practitioner Justice Abdulai has highlighted the need for increased investment in Ghana's justice system, citing shortages of judges, court facilities, staff, and logistics as major impediments to justice delivery. Speaking on TV3's KeyPoints, Abdulai noted that over 50 courts currently lack resident judges, necessitating judges from other courts to preside over cases. He also stated that some courts are managing more than 500 cases each, leading to substantial backlogs. Abdulai described delays in the justice system, indicating that concluding a case within two years is uncommon. He recalled a case he inherited that had been in the courts for decades.
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James Agbey, an operative of the ruling National Democratic Congress NDC, has called on supporters of President John Dramani Mahama to stop advocating for a third presidential term. Agbey stated that President Mahama has made his position clear, citing the President's remarks during the Resetting Ghana Tour in Ho where he said, "The people of Ghana gave me one additional term. My job is to work and deliver on that trust, not to look for a third term. The matter is settled." Agbey emphasized that promoting a third term risks undermining President Mahama's political legacy and distracts the party from its objectives. He urged "sycophantic allies" to desist from such actions, which he described as self-sabotage. Agbey also maintained that the NDC has capable leaders to build on President Mahama's achievements and called for the party to prepare for a transparent process to elect its next leader, ensuring a smooth transition and protecting the President's legacy.
Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, announced that no plea agreement has been reached in the criminal case involving New Patriotic Party Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, also known as Chairman Wontumi, and two others. The statutory 30-day period for concluding plea bargain negotiations in the case is set to expire next week. Dr Srem-Sai confirmed this on his Facebook page on Saturday, July 18, 2026, stating that despite the ongoing process, an agreement has not been finalized. He did not provide further details on the negotiations or the next steps if no agreement is reached by the deadline. Wontumi and two others face charges related to an alleged scheme that caused significant financial loss to the Ghana Export-Import Bank. Court documents indicate the accused are alleged to have defrauded the bank of approximately GH垄14.3 million to GH垄30 million through actions including presenting a forged receipt, fraud, money laundering, and causing financial loss to a public institution. Wontumi's legal team initiated the plea-bargaining process, which was formally communicated to the court in June 2026. Both parties sought time to explore a potential settlement under Ghana's plea-bargaining framework. Wontumi, Wontumi Farms Limited, and Thomas Antwi-Boasiako have pleaded not guilty to the charges. The case stems from events around 2018 involving a loan or facility from EXIM Bank. The court had previously adjourned the matter to allo
Must ReadA video circulating on social media has highlighted concerns about textile waste, showing large quantities of discarded second-hand clothing washing up along the Atlantic coastline. The footage, shared by SIKAOFFICIAL on X, depicts piles of used garments on the shoreline, with waves bringing in more textile waste. The post was captioned, "Disturbing footage captures tonnes of discarded second-hand clothes, imported into the country for trade, washing up along the Atlantic coastline and highlighting the global challenge of textile waste." This video has generated significant online reactions, with many social media users expressing worry about the environmental impact of Ghana's second-hand clothing trade, known as 'obroni wawu'. Some users attributed the problem to inadequate waste management, while others advocated for stricter regulation of textile imports and better recycling systems for unsellable clothing. Ghana is a major importer of second-hand clothing, receiving bales from Europe, North America, and Asia. Although the trade supports many jobs, environmental advocates have consistently warned that a large portion of imported clothing is of poor quality and ends up in landfills, drains, and water bodies. This recent footage has intensified calls for authorities to address the increasing textile waste, which campaigners state threatens marine ecosystems, coastal communities, and public health. The precise location of the video has not been independently verified.