SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA ON THE OCCASION OF THE LAUNCH OF THE SUPREME COURT OF GHANA @150 ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Source: judicial_service_of_ghana
Date: 2026-04-17

SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA HIS LORDSHIP JUSTICE PAUL BAFFOE-BONNIE ON THE OCCASION OF THE LAUNCH OF THE SUPREME COURT OF GHANA @150 ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION CEDI CONFERENCE CENTRE THURSDAY, 16TH APRIL 2026 Theme: “ Honouring the Past, Celebrating the Present, and Defining the Future.” SALUTATIONS The Honourable Deputy Chief of Staff, (Representative of the Government) Nana Oye Bampoe Addo; The Representative of Parliament; The Honourable Deputy Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai; Distinguished Former Chief Justices — Her Ladyship Georgina Theodora Wood, Her Ladyship Sophia Akuffo, and His Lordship Kwasi Anin Yeboah; My Lords and Ladies of the Supreme Court Bench The Judicial Secretary, Mr. Musah Ahmed and other Justices of the Superior Courts herein present; Other Honourable Ministers of State Present; Members of the Lower Court; Our Special Guests of Honour; Distinguished Members of the Bar; Niimei, Nameii, Nananom, Naas; Our Friends from the Media; Ladies and Gentlemen— BEFORE I BEGIN It is refreshing to note that this is one of the rare occasions where we gather as a judicial family, with no case files before us, no preliminary objections to determine, and no applications for adjournment. And for once, I believe we may all agree—without the need for concurring opinions or a dissent—that this is a good day for the law. OPENING It is not often that an institution is given the privilege of pausing to look at itself in the mirror of time. Today is one such rare moment. A moment not of noise, but of reflection; not of ceremony, but of reckoning. One hundred and fifty years ago, in 1876, under the Supreme Court Ordinance, a quiet but profound chapter began on these shores. The highest court of the Gold Coast was formally established — not in grand ceremony, but with the solemn duty to guard laws, liberties, and the promise of justice for all. Today, we gather here not merely to mark the passage of time, but to reflect deeply on its meaning. For institutions do not become great by years alone. They become great by the courage with which they serve their purpose — and in our case, by the fidelity with which they uphold the calling of justice. HONOURING THE PAST, REFLECTING ON THE PRESENT AND DEFINING THE FUTURE Your Excellencies, today, we launch the celebration of the Supreme Court of Ghana at 150 under the theme: “ Honouring the Past, Celebrating the Present, and Defining the Future .” This anniversary is more than a milestone. It is a moment for honest reflection, quiet gratitude, and bold hope. One hundred and fifty years is remarkable. But history will not judge us by how long the Court has existed. It will judge us by what we did with the moment entrusted to us — whether we merely celebrated the past, or whether we had the courage to define a brighter future. This anniversary must therefore be remembered as a commitment: to faster justice, to accessible justice, to transparent justice, and to a Judiciary worthy of the enduring trust of the Ghanaian people. Let us first honour the past with the respect it richly deserves. From the early courts in Cape Coast — where the foundations of our legal tradition were laid in the very cradle of what would become Ghana — through the colonial era and the turbulent years after independence, men and women of courage sat on the bench. They defended the rule of law, often under pressure, sometimes making difficult choices, yet leaving behind a legacy of integrity that still lights our path. We remember the pioneering judges who built this institution brick by brick, literally and figuratively. We remember the first Ghanaian voices that rose in our courtrooms, helping shape a young nation into a constitutional democracy. Their footprints live on in every judgment that has protected rights, resolved disputes, and upheld the dignity of the ordinary citizen. We are especially honoured today by the presence of three distinguished former Chief Justices — Her Ladyship Georgina Theodora Wood, our first female Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Sophia Akuffo, and His Lordship Kwasi Anin Yeboah. Your leadership reminds us that the Judiciary is not about one person or one era, but a continuous chain of dedicated service. Thank you for the paths you cleared and the high standards you set. But anniversaries must not only celebrate — they must also speak truth. After 150 years, we must ask ourselves honestly: Are we where we should be? Should congestion and delays still burden our courts? Should we still lean so heavily on manual processes in a digital age? Should access to justice, in too many cases, still hinge on geography, cost, or time? These are not attacks on individuals; they are questions about systems. Because the truth is this: longevity, without renewal, is a quiet form of decline. And the law—if it is to remain relevant—must not only endure. It must respond. That is why this anniversary is not only commemoration — it is a turning point and a mandate. The Court of today is a living institution: busier, more accessible, and more transparent than ever. We have embraced technology, strengthened processes, and worked tirelessly to deliver justice that is timely and fair. Our courts, from the apex to the districts, serve millions who turn to us when all else feels uncertain. We celebrate the present through concrete actions already in motion. Through the E-Justice Programme, we are moving toward digital filing, digital service, virtual hearings, and digitized records — making justice faster, more efficient, and more accessible. We have introduced extended court sittings via the Two Streams system, turning time itself into an ally of justice. Through specialised courts for emerging areas of law, we are acknowledging that the law must grow with society. And through the ongoing revision of our Rules of Court, we are attempting something fundamental: to ensure that procedure serves justice… and does not suffocate it. We are equally strengthening security and infrastructure around the courts, ensuring that justice is delivered in safe and dignified environments. And we are actively and cautiously reforming legal education, to achieve a twin solution of expanding access, while preserving quality. These are not distant dreams; they are deliberate steps that are already underway. And if we are to be honest—and on a day like this, we must be—we cannot say that all is well. There are still delays. There are still barriers. There are still moments when justice feels distant to those who need it most. And confidence is shaken when justice comes too late, or costs too much, or feels too far. The next chapter of our Court must not be rhetoric; it must not be reform for its own sake; it must be a deep moral commitment to excellence in the delivery of justice for all. The future of this Court must be: faster—because delayed justice is diluted justice. Clearer—because obscure justice is inaccessible justice. Closer to the people—because distant justice is denied justice. THE ANNIVERSARY AS A NATIONAL MOMENT In the coming weeks and months, the Planning Committee’s rich programme will bring the vision of this anniversary celebration to life: public lectures that take the conversation on justice to the people, a powerful documentary capturing our journey from Cape Coast to the present, a commemorative compendium preserving our institutional memory, legal aid outreach to underserved communities, and meaningful legacy projects that will outlast this moment. These are opportunities for every Ghanaian — young and old, lawyer and layperson — to reconnect with the Judiciary and help shape its next chapter. My dear friends, the Judiciary does not stand apart from Ghana. We are woven into her story — her struggles, her progress, and her highest aspirations. When the Supreme Court is strong and independent, the rule of law stands firm. When justice is accessible, impartial, and humane, democracy breathes freely. Behind every case is a human story: a family, a livelihood, a life in the balance. Courts are human institutions — only as strong as the integrity of those who serve in them, only as trusted as the fairness they demonstrate, and only as relevant as the justice they deliver. No technology or reform can replace conscience and judgment. CLOSING REMARKS Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, as we unveil the theme, the logo, the anniversary cloth, and other symbols of this milestone, let us do so with pride — but also with a solemn promise. A promise that the next 150 years will witness a Court that is even more just, more efficient, more trusted, and more deeply reflective of the best values of our nation. As I have often said, my own tenure is but a brief relay in a long race. What we build must be a system of continuity — where each generation carries the baton forward with greater purpose. To the hardworking Planning Committee, ably led by my brother, His Lordship Justice Richard Adjei Frimpong, and to all members of the sub-committees, staff, and partners who have laboured tirelessly in a short time — thank you. Your dedication has made this launch possible. To our traditional leaders and all invited guests — your presence honours us and reminds everyone that justice has deep cultural roots in Ghanaian society. Excellencies, My Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen, may I invite you to join me in launching the Supreme Court of Ghana @150. May the Supreme Court of Ghana rise to even greater heights — not as a relic of history, but as a living, breathing instrument of justice for all. May God bless the Supreme Court of Ghana. May God bless our beloved homeland Ghana. And may justice, peace, and prosperity continue to reign among us. I thank you for your attention. Next