Supreme Court nominee Justice Senyo Dzamefe has proposed the introduction of fixed timelines for the completion of court cases in Ghana, particularly criminal cases, as part of efforts to enhance the efficiency of the justice system.
Appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee for vetting on Monday, 16 June, Justice Dzamefe stressed the need for reforms that prioritise both infrastructure and human resource development within the judiciary.
“Anybody who wants to maximise productivity must first think of the human resource, because it’s a mistake a lot of people make. First, think of people who will give you the product,” he said.
Justice Dzamefe noted that although some reforms are already underway, more concrete actions are required to ease the burden on the courts and fast-track case resolution.
“We need more courts so that the job will be spread thin, and it will go faster. After that, we need the working tools outside the courts — we must go with technology. The time of long handwriting is long gone past,” he said.
He advocated for the use of modern technological tools, such as artificial intelligence, voice recording, and transcription systems, to improve court operations and reduce delays.
“By the end of the day, once the court is done sitting, the records are ready. We also need to go virtual, so people can testify online,” he noted.
Justice Dzamefe further proposed that the judiciary adopt strict timelines for the conclusion of legal proceedings.
“I also think we must set timelines for cases — so let’s say, criminal cases three months, and civil for six months,” he suggested.
His proposals come against the backdrop of growing public concern over delays in the justice system, with many cases lingering in court for years. If adopted, the recommended timelines could mark a significant step toward speeding up trials and restoring public confidence in the legal process.
