Private legal practitioner lawyer Richard Armah has lauded the Supreme Court of Ghana for its monumental achievements as the institution marks 150 years of existence.
He described the court as having done a great deal of good for the country and expressed confidence that it will continue to play a vital role in building a better Ghana.
Speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio, Armah recalled that since the Supreme Court came into existence in 1876, every lawyer who obtains a licence is formally admitted as a barrister or solicitor of the Supreme Court, thereby tying all lower courts to this highest judicial authority.
He emphasised that the court system has been a key pillar of peace in the country, noting that citizens often look to the courts for justice instead of resorting to violence, which helps prevent “evil for evil”.
However, Armah also pointed out that there is still room for improvement.
After 150 years, he said, Ghana should have moved from analogue and manual processes to more modern, technology‑driven systems and should have more courts to serve a much larger population than existed in 1876.
He therefore urged the relevant authorities to consider expanding and modernising the court system to make justice more efficient, accessible, and responsive to the needs of contemporary Ghana.
He also expressed concern that the current judicial infrastructure is insufficient, noting that there are fewer than 450 courts nationwide.
This shortage has placed an immense burden on the judiciary, with judges frequently forced to preside over an overwhelming volume of cases.
“The celebration of 150 years is not limited to the Supreme Court alone; rather, it celebrates the existence of a judicial system that allows individuals to seek redress. However, there is significant room for improvement. Currently, the number of courts we have is fewer than 450, a situation that puts severe pressure on the few judges available. We are, therefore, appealing to the authorities to ensure the expansion of our court network to prevent existing facilities from choking. Our population has increased, necessitating more courts to meet the demands of the cases being filed. Additionally, we must also adopt systems that align with the changing face of technology.”
