Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo has voiced strong concerns over the alarming rise in land litigation cases, which she believes is overwhelming Ghana’s judicial system.
The Chief Justice highlighted the growing issue of land disputes dominating court dockets and the disturbing perception that the justice system is being manipulated for financial gain.
Speaking at a recent judicial forum on Sunday, September 29, she said: “As Chief Justice, I am particularly disturbed by the way in which land litigation seems to have taken over our courts and the general impression that all is fair in money-making such as even the sacred process of justice delivery is subjected to exploitation of the citizen.”
The Chief Justice’s remarks come at a time when land disputes in Ghana have surged, with increasing cases of fraudulent land deals, ownership conflicts, and encroachment.
These disputes have placed a heavy burden on the judiciary, causing delays in case resolution and straining the court system.
She urged the staff of Ghana’s judiciary to uphold a strong sense of conscience, diligence, and integrity in their work, stressing that these values are essential not only for judges, whose basic qualification is moral character and proven integrity, but also for all judicial staff.
The Chief Justice stressed that integrity is a non-negotiable quality in justice delivery and that the entire judicial system relies on it.
She also called on the staff to be sensitive to their duties, recognising that justice must always be administered in accordance with the law.
Ghana’s legal framework, she noted, is complex, sophisticated, and diverse, making it crucial for those in the judiciary to thoroughly understand its structure.
She warned against complacency, stressing that the judiciary “cannot afford to have individuals who lack diligence, competence, or the willingness to learn.”
Furthermore, she cautioned against adopting a “money-making mentality,” which undermines the integrity of justice delivery.
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