The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has reported that more than 130 courts nationwide are currently without magistrates. This shortage necessitates urgent recruitment to ensure the efficient administration of justice. JUSAG President, Samuel Afotey Otu, made the appeal at the 45th Annual General Meeting of the Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana (AMJG) in Accra.
The meeting, themed “Balance Beyond the Bench: Harmonising Duty, Justice and Life,” brought together stakeholders to discuss the welfare of judicial officers and staff. Mr. Otu urged the Government to expedite the recruitment process to fill the vacancies. He also appealed to the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice to review the remuneration and conditions of service of judges and magistrates.
Mr. Otu suggested that the salary gap between judges of the lower courts and those of the Superior Courts should be reduced by improving the salaries of judges in the lower courts. He stated that the salary gap between the lower Bench and Superior Court Judges should be closed by upping the salaries of the lower Bench. Additionally, he recommended providing police escorts or orderlies for members of the lower Bench.
According to Mr. Otu, judges and magistrates require similar protection, despite working at different levels. He called on the Judiciary and the Government to promote a working environment where judicial officers and staff can serve with dignity while living fulfilling lives. Mr. Otu also reminded the Government of JUSAG’s lawful demands in relation to Article 149 of the 1992 Constitution.
Dr. Dominic Ayine, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, in a speech read on his behalf, acknowledged that judicial office carries particular restraints necessary to meet the constitutional requirement for judges and magistrates to remain independent and impartial. He emphasized that balance should not be misunderstood as a retreat from duty but rather as creating conditions to enable judicial officers to discharge their duties sustainably.
Dr. Ayine noted that the Executive, the Bar, and the Judiciary have distinct constitutional responsibilities, and judicial independence requires that those boundaries remain respected. He commended the AMJG for choosing a theme that invites stakeholders to consider the complete person behind the judicial office, beyond judgments, courtrooms, and case statistics.
The JUSAG President also addressed the issue of attacks against judges and judicial officers on social media, stating that judicial officers will continue to perform their duties despite criticism and urging the public to accord them the respect and courtesy they deserve. He highlighted the risks associated with judicial work in the era of social media, where images and activities of judges, magistrates, and judicial officers can easily be exposed to risks.
Key points
- Over 130 courts in Ghana currently lack magistrates, affecting the administration of justice.
- JUSAG appeals for expedited recruitment of magistrates to fill vacancies.
- The Association also calls for improved remuneration and conditions of service for judges and magistrates.
