The Deputy Attorney General, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, has presented a compelling argument for maintaining the use of jury trials within Ghana’s judicial framework.
Speaking on Thursday, 16 April 2026, at the launch of the Supreme Court’s 150th-anniversary celebrations, he asserted that jurors are indispensable for the protection of civil liberties and the promotion of democratic participation.
While acknowledging the ongoing debate regarding the future of the system, Dr Srem-Sai firmly opposed suggestions that jury trials should be scrapped.
He argued that the system remains a critical feature of justice delivery that warrants improvement rather than abolition.
To this end, he remarked: “The jury trial is considered the palladium of liberty. We have reached a point where we are having a conversation about whether to abolish the jury trial or not.”
The Deputy Minister further clarified that although the role of the Attorney General occasionally intersects with the broader justice system, such complexities should not serve as grounds for dismantling a vital democratic institution.
Instead of abandonment, he suggested that contemporary advancements in technology offer a unique opportunity to modernise and fortify the process.
Reinforcing the government’s stance, he stated: “We do not think that jury trial should be abolished. We believe that technology has come and would assist us to improve jury trials.”
Dr Srem-Sai concluded by highlighting specific tools that could facilitate this evolution, such as the digital address system and the national identification card.
He noted that “We have the digital address system, and we have the national identification card. All of these will help us to diversify the jury system and also to educate the public to understand that justice cannot be fully done without the participation of the people.” Through these innovations, he believes the state can enhance inclusivity and public understanding of the civic duty inherent in the trial process.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
