Ghana’s 69th Legal Year has officially commenced with a strong call for integrity, innovation and the strategic use of technology to strengthen the country’s justice delivery system.

The Legal Year is being held under the theme “Strengthening the Foundations of Justice through Leadership, Innovation and Technology”.

Speaking at a special church service to mark the opening of the new Legal Year, the Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, said the Judiciary would focus on strengthening the administration of justice through ethical leadership, innovation and technology.

The Chief Justice said the Judiciary must continue to embrace technological tools that improve efficiency, transparency and accessibility within the justice system.

Delivering the sermon, the guest preacher, Rt. Rev. Dr. Daniel Sylvanus Mensah Torto, said the theme was timely, particularly at a time when the foundations of Ghana’s justice system were under pressure.

Drawing from Psalm 11:3 which asks “When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?”, he cited delayed cases and concerns about unequal access to justice as some of the challenges confronting the system.

"The first pillar needed to strengthen the justice system was righteous leadership, judges and lawyers are to demonstrate courage, humility and a commitment to serving the vulnerable," he said.

According to him, Ghana does not need only clever lawyers but righteous leaders who would uphold justice regardless of the status or influence of those appearing before the courts.

He particularly called for greater attention to people who cannot afford legal representation and prisoners who remain in custody for prolonged periods without trial.

The Reverend Minister identified innovation as the second pillar, saying the justice system must continually reform its processes to deliver justice faster, cheaper and more effectively.

He welcomed initiatives such as court-managed Alternative Dispute Resolution and special courts but said more is needed to be done to improve access to justice at the circuit, magistrate and other levels.

On technology, the preacher described it as “a tool, not a master”, urging the Judiciary to embrace digital transformation while protecting the integrity of the justice system.

He noted that e-filing, virtual courts and electronic transcription could reduce delays, improve transparency and minimise opportunities for corruption.

However, he cautioned that technology alone could not guarantee justice.

He said if technology was placed on a foundation of corrupt leadership, it could only result in “digitised corruption” and faster injustice.

The guest preacher urged judges and lawyers to embrace technology while maintaining their integrity and ensuring justice remains people-centred.

 "Let the call for justice  flow like a river in Ghana, the poor must find refuge, the oppressed a defender and those who patiently seek justice must find stability through the justice system" he said.