Jury Selection Now Open To All Citizens – Chief Justice Announces

The Chief Justice of Ghana, Her Ladyship Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, has announced the expansion of the country’s jury selection process to include all eligible citizens, as part of efforts to improve the speed and quality of criminal justice delivery.

The announcement was made during the official opening of the 2025 session of the Criminal Assizes by the Judicial Service on Tuesday, April 16, 2025. The move marks a significant step towards addressing delays in the adjudication of criminal cases across the country.

“As we open assizes today, we have expanded the jury list to include all citizens qualified by law, including many individuals in the private sector,” Chief Justice Torkornoo stated.

“Over time, steps will be taken to further the pool from which juries will be selected. It is our expectation that the time citizens engage in jury meeting, not being insufficient will change.”

The Chief Justice emphasised that this initiative is the result of a broader reform agenda aimed at making the judiciary more efficient and results-oriented.

She commended the efforts of a dedicated team that developed and promoted the reforms through media and stakeholder engagements across national and regional platforms.

“A team assisted me in proposing solutions and reforms in making the judiciary system more efficient and result-oriented. To get the buy-in of all stakeholders, the team went on to do media and stakeholder engagement on national and regional platforms,” she said.

Judges have also been reminded to strictly enforce Sections 222 to 224 of the Criminal Procedure and Other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 30), which outline penalties for jurors who fail to attend court without valid justification. Chief Justice Torkornoo noted that any absence by an empanelled juror would be considered a day of no work, affecting the eligibility for allowances.

“In this regard, foremen are respectfully requested to notify all jurors on a panel regarding attendance, well ahead of the court’s sitting,” she added.

Calling on all players within the justice sector, the Chief Justice appealed for collective support in driving reforms that would enhance the integrity and efficiency of the judiciary.

“I pray stakeholders to hold the hand of the judiciary to effect reforms that will enhance legality, ethics, due process, assets and resources in the justice delivery of the judiciary,” she said.

Reflecting on the progress made over the past year, she expressed gratitude for the contributions of her colleagues, staff, and partners in the judicial sector.

“I am so glad that a year on, by the grace of God and the unrelenting help from colleague judges, citizens, stakeholders, staff and management of the judicial service, we have counted many significant milestones,” Chief Justice Torkornoo concluded.

 

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Core Planning team for the opening of the criminal assizes

HL Mensah Homiah, JA
Asare Botwe, JA
Lydia Osei Marfo JA
HL Frederick Tetteh J
HL Dorothy Ayodele Kingsley-Nyinah J
HH Sussana Eduful, HW
Mensima Ackoh, HW Derrick Annan
Mr. Noble Nutifafa (Director ICT),
Mr. Ampong Fosu (Director of Communication)
Mr. Charles Baidoo (Director of Court Services)

 

 

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