

Author (s) :
AfriMAP (Africa Governance Monitoring and Advocacy Project) and The Open Society Initiative for West Africa and The Institute for Democratic Governance
Introduction:
Ghana’s justice system has seen many encouraging developments since the restoration of civilian rule 15 years ago, especially since the installation of the current administration in 2001. The usual problems threaten its effectiveness: among others are poor coordination among the different actors in the sector; long delays in hearing cases; a lack of legal aid to help the poor to access justice; overcrowded prisons; and critical allegations of corruption among the police, as well as court staff, including judges and magistrates.
However, there have been many interesting and useful initiatives to improve justice system performance, ranging from an increasingly merit- based system for appointment of judges, to a rapid expansion of legal aid, and to procedures to reduce delays and promote out-of-court settlements in the higher courts. Both civil society organisations and constitutionally mandated oversight institutions have played an important role in promoting these reforms. More broadly, the government has shown, for the most part, an increasing respect for the rule of law, complying with difficult decisions handed down by the courts and appointing and respecting the findings of commissions of inquiry that have found government officials at fault.
The current administration has also led an anti-corruption campaign that has touched its own members as well as those of the past government. However, there have still been cases in which executive interference in prosecutions has been alleged, and some court rulings have not been fully respected; or attempts have been made to overturn them other than through the normal avenues of appeal. Moreover, weaknesses in the constitutional and legislative framework providing for the appointment of judges still provide the president with too great a discretion. Continued vigilance, as well as legal reform, is needed to ensure and promote respect for the proper separation of powers and independence of the courts.
A common feature of many of the encouraging innovations is that they have not been enacted into law. Repeatedly, a legal framework is missing, even where better practices have been introduced on the ground. Law reform has mostly been slow and piecemeal. Two recent laws, the Disability Act and the Domestic Violence Act, took years to be passed by Parliament, while other important proposed reforms remain stalled, including bills on the property rights of spouses, on alternative dispute resolution and on a right to information. Other important areas, including the laws governing the police and prisons, do not even have proposed new legislation on the table to update rules established 30 years ago. Further work will be needed across the board to shape the justice system in the interests of Ghana’s new democratic dispensation. Ghana is a leader in the West Africa region, and many of its justice sector reforms underline this fact: but it is too soon for it to rest on its laurels yet. This discussion paper highlights areas in which further effort is needed, proposing concrete steps for reform and action.
International law, the Constitution and law reform
Ghana has ratified many of the major international treaties relating to the promotion of human rights and the rule of law, and its record in this regard has improved since the return of democracy in 1993. However, Ghana has yet to sign up for some important provisions – including several that allow for individual complaints to be heard by the treaty-monitoring bodies. A number of African treaties also remain outstanding, including the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) on the Rights of Women in Africa. In 2003, Ghana signed a Bilateral Non-Surrender Agreement with the United States, agreeing not to hand over any US personnel to the International Criminal Court (ICC), thus undermining its own commitments under the Rome Treaty establishing the ICC.
It is surprisingly difficult to put together a complete list of Ghana’s international treaty obligations, and it does not appear that any government ministry has the responsibility to maintain an up-to-date compilation of all international and African treaties that Ghana has signed or ratified. Either the Ministry of Justice or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should be given this task and the duty to inform other departments of their obligations.
Government respect for the rule of law and separation of powers
Separation of powers between the three arms of government is emphasised in the 1992 Constitution. Executive powers are subject to checks by Parliament, the judiciary, and to a limited extent the Council of State, an advisory body, as well as by constitutional oversight institutions such as CHRAJ.
Disobedience of a decision of the Supreme Court on the constitutionality of any act is a crime, and a ground for removing the president or vice-president from office. As is the case in many common-law countries, the constitutional separation of powers is compromised by the fact that the A-G is both the head of the prosecution service and also a minister and the chief legal adviser to the government. Moreover, since independence, the A-G and the Minister of Justice have been the same person. This places an obvious strain on the independence of prosecutorial decisions in high-profile cases. Indeed, the National Democratic
Congress (NDC) opposition party has alleged that prosecutions of former ministers from the NDC administration in office up to 2000 were politically motivated. Calls for a separation of the two positions in order to strengthen the independence of the prosecution system should be implemented.
Nevertheless, the government generally obeys the laws of the land and abides by court decisions and rulings of quasi-judicial bodies. In several cases since the re-establishment of civilian rule the government has been forced under difficult circumstances to pay compensation to persons who were wrongfully dismissed, or has complied with politically contentious judgments against it.
These include the NPP v. IGP case already mentioned, as well as decisions relating to the provision of equal access to state media for opposition political parties (NPP v. GBC); the approval of government-nominated district chief executives ahead of district assembly elections (NPP v. Electoral Commission); and the authority to appoint the chairperson and other members of the governing bodies of public corporations managing the state-owned media (NMC v. A-G).
In 2001, a minister of sports appointed by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration that came into office in 2000 was prosecuted and convicted for fraud.
However, there are other cases involving politicians where investigations have been characterised by undue delays that have created the perception of interference by the executive. Since the conviction of the former minister of sports, there have been no prosecutions of government officials, in spite of serious allegations in Parliament and elsewhere of mismanagement and misappropriation of funds. In some cases the implementation of decisions against the govern-ment has been resisted.
Les Wathinotes sont soit des résumés de publications sélectionnées par WATHI, conformes aux résumés originaux, soit des versions modifiées des résumés originaux, soit des extraits choisis par WATHI compte tenu de leur pertinence par rapport au thème du Débat. Lorsque les publications et leurs résumés ne sont disponibles qu’en français ou en anglais, WATHI se charge de la traduction des extraits choisis dans l’autre langue. Toutes les Wathinotes renvoient aux publications originales et intégrales qui ne sont pas hébergées par le site de WATHI, et sont destinées à promouvoir la lecture de ces documents, fruit du travail de recherche d’universitaires et d’experts.
The Wathinotes are either original abstracts of publications selected by WATHI, modified original summaries or publication quotes selected for their relevance for the theme of the Debate. When publications and abstracts are only available either in French or in English, the translation is done by WATHI. All the Wathinotes link to the original and integral publications that are not hosted on the WATHI website. WATHI participates to the promotion of these documents that have been written by university professors and experts.
188 Commentaires. En écrire un nouveau
http://bluepilluk.com/# generic sildenafil UK pharmacy
ivermectin without prescription UK: generic stromectol UK delivery – MediTrustUK
pharmacy online fast delivery UK MediQuick UK online pharmacy UK no prescription
https://meditrustuk.com/# discreet ivermectin shipping UK
http://intimacareuk.com/# branded and generic tadalafil UK pharmacy
EverGreenRx USA EverGreenRx USA what are the side effect of cialis
EverGreenRx USA: EverGreenRx USA – EverGreenRx USA
https://evergreenrxusas.com/# EverGreenRx USA
cialis 10mg what cialis EverGreenRx USA
cialis one a day: EverGreenRx USA – EverGreenRx USA
https://evergreenrxusas.com/# EverGreenRx USA
what is cialis used to treat: EverGreenRx USA – EverGreenRx USA
https://linklist.bio/kratonbet777# kratonbet alternatif
Situs Togel Toto 4D Login Alternatif Togel Daftar InaTogel Login Link Alternatif Terbaru
mawartoto link mawartoto link mawartoto slot
https://linkr.bio/betawi777# betawi 77 slot
hargatoto slot hargatoto login toto slot hargatoto
https://linkr.bio/betawi777# betawi77 net
https://linklist.bio/kratonbet777# kratonbet
hargatoto login hargatoto login toto slot hargatoto
https://linklist.bio/kratonbet777# kratonbet link
inatogel Situs Togel Toto 4D INA TOGEL Daftar
hargatoto slot toto slot hargatoto hargatoto slot
https://tap.bio/@hargatoto# hargatoto alternatif
betawi 77 slot betawi 77 betawi 77
https://linktr.ee/bataraslot777# bataraslot 88
BluePharma France viagra 100 mg prix abordable France viagra homme
https://bluepharmafrance.com/# pilule bleue en ligne
pilule bleue en ligne viagra 100 mg prix abordable France sildenafil citrate 100 mg
http://bluepharmafrance.com/# viagra 100 mg prix abordable France
http://intimapharmafrance.com/# cialis original et generique livraison rapide
PharmaLibre kamagra acheter kamagra pas cher livraison rapide
https://pharmaexpressfrance.com/# Pharmacie en ligne livraison Europe
https://pharmaexpressfrance.com/# pharmacie en ligne livraison europe
kamagra 100 mg prix competitif en ligne kamagra gel oral livraison discrete France kamagra gel oral livraison discrete France
tadalafil 20 mg en ligne IntimaPharma commander cialis discretement
https://pharmalibrefrance.com/# PharmaLibre
pharmacie digitale francaise fiable pharmacie en ligne pharmacie en ligne livraison europe
http://clearmedspharm.com/# ClearMeds
VitalCore Pharmacy VitalCore VitalCore
http://clearmedspharm.com/# buy antibiotics
http://clearmedspharm.com/# buy antibiotics
buy antibiotics buy antibiotics online for uti antibiotics over the counter
http://vitalcorepharm.com/# buy ed meds
ClearMeds Pharmacy buy antibiotics online ClearMeds Pharmacy
https://clearmedspharm.shop/# ClearMeds Pharmacy
https://clearmedspharm.com/# cheap antibiotics
buy antibiotics online for uti ClearMeds Pharmacy ClearMeds Pharmacy
http://truemedspharm.com/# TrueMeds Pharmacy
ClearMeds ClearMeds buy antibiotics
http://vitalcorepharm.com/# VitalCore
1wbona: bonaslot link resmi mudah diakses – bonaslot
https://1wbook.shop/# Book of Ra Deluxe soldi veri
migliori casino online con Book of Ra: recensioni Book of Ra Deluxe slot – bonus di benvenuto per Book of Ra Italia
1win69 1win69 promosi dan bonus harian preman69
Starburst slot online Italia: giocare da mobile a Starburst – giocare da mobile a Starburst
giocare da mobile a Starburst migliori casino online con Starburst giocare a Starburst gratis senza registrazione
https://1wstarburst.shop/# jackpot e vincite su Starburst Italia
giocare a Starburst gratis senza registrazione casino online sicuri con Starburst migliori casino online con Starburst
bonaslot link resmi mudah diakses: bonaslot login – 1wbona
link alternatif garuda888 terbaru: garuda888 live casino Indonesia – garuda888 slot online terpercaya
jackpot e vincite su Starburst Italia giocare a Starburst gratis senza registrazione giocare a Starburst gratis senza registrazione
1wbona 1wbona bonaslot kasino online terpercaya
bonaslot situs bonus terbesar Indonesia: 1wbona – bonaslot login
bonaslot link resmi mudah diakses bonaslot login bonaslot
preman69 login: preman69 login tanpa ribet – preman69
http://1win888indonesia.com/# agen garuda888 bonus new member
BorderMeds Express BorderMeds Express legit mexican pharmacy without prescription
BharatMeds Direct: п»їlegitimate online pharmacies india – BharatMeds Direct
BharatMeds Direct BharatMeds Direct indian pharmacy
BharatMeds Direct: BharatMeds Direct – п»їlegitimate online pharmacies india
http://maplemedsdirect.com/# pharmacy online india
BharatMeds Direct buy prescription drugs from india п»їlegitimate online pharmacies india
BharatMeds Direct: BharatMeds Direct – reputable indian pharmacies
BorderMeds Express BorderMeds Express BorderMeds Express
BorderMeds Express: BorderMeds Express – BorderMeds Express
india pharmacy BharatMeds Direct mail order pharmacy india
mental illness MapleMeds Direct MapleMeds Direct
BharatMeds Direct: BharatMeds Direct – indianpharmacy com
https://maplemedsdirect.com/# tesco pharmacy levitra
BharatMeds Direct BharatMeds Direct buy prescription drugs from india
п»їmexican pharmacy: accutane mexico buy online – buy neurontin in mexico
BharatMeds Direct п»їlegitimate online pharmacies india india online pharmacy
https://bordermedsexpress.shop/# buying prescription drugs in mexico
MapleMeds Direct: MapleMeds Direct – store pharmacy
online mexico pharmacy USA BorderMeds Express tadalafil mexico pharmacy
viagra pfizer 25mg prezzo: pillole per la disfunzione erettile in Italia – gel per erezione in farmacia
https://potenzafacile.shop/# alternativa al viagra senza ricetta in farmacia
farmacie online autorizzate elenco FarmaciDiretti farmaci senza ricetta elenco
farmacie online affidabili: accesso rapido a cialis generico online – farmacie online sicure
farmacia online kamagra oral jelly spedizione discreta Farmacia online miglior prezzo
https://pillolesubito.shop/# п»їFarmacia online migliore
viagra naturale PotenzaFacile viagra pfizer 25mg prezzo
farmacie online autorizzate elenco: kamagra originale e generico online – farmacia online
https://pillolesubito.shop/# acquisto farmaci con ricetta
comprare farmaci online all’estero ordina tadalafil da casa in Italia Farmacia online piГ№ conveniente
viagra 100 mg prezzo in farmacia: acquistare viagra generico online – cerco viagra a buon prezzo
Farmacie online sicure Forza Intima migliori farmacie online 2024
Farmacie online sicure: pillole per la potenza con consegna discreta – Farmacia online piГ№ conveniente
CardioMeds Express: lasix for sale – lasix online
TrustedMeds Direct can you buy amoxicillin uk amoxicillin 500 mg without prescription
IverGrove: IverGrove – IverGrove
CardioMeds Express: lasix online – lasix for sale
https://steroidcarepharmacy.shop/# SteroidCare Pharmacy
SteroidCare Pharmacy SteroidCare Pharmacy buy prednisone online without a script
prednisone 5mg coupon: prednisone otc price – prednisone for sale
https://trustedmedsdirect.com/# amoxicillin price canada
IverGrove: IverGrove – IverGrove
amoxicillin 500 mg capsule: where to get amoxicillin over the counter – TrustedMeds Direct
cheap clomid without insurance FertiCare Online FertiCare Online
amoxicillin 500mg capsule: order amoxicillin online no prescription – TrustedMeds Direct
SildenaPeak SildenaPeak SildenaPeak
SildenaPeak: online pharmacy viagra prescription – cheap viagra paypal
https://sildenapeak.com/# can you buy viagra over the counter nz
cialis tadalafil discount: cialis discount card – best reviewed tadalafil site
cialis online no prescription Tadalify cialis generic best price that accepts mastercard
http://kamameds.com/# Online sources for Kamagra in the United States
SildenaPeak: where can you buy viagra in australia – sildenafil 100mg online india
cialis vs flomax: Tadalify – tadalafil tablets 20 mg side effects
viagra otc uk viagra pharmacy australia can i purchase viagra over the counter in canada
http://kamameds.com/# Fast-acting ED solution with discreet packaging
brand viagra online canadian pharmacy: brand name viagra online – online us pharmacy viagra
SildenaPeak sildenafil for daily use how to buy viagra no prescription
cialis generic purchase: Tadalify – achats produit tadalafil pour femme en ligne
http://sildenapeak.com/# how much is sildenafil 50 mg
Kamagra oral jelly USA availability Online sources for Kamagra in the United States Non-prescription ED tablets discreetly shipped
average price of sildenafil in usa 100mg: viagra tablets 100mg – where to buy viagra otc
Compare Kamagra with branded alternatives: Affordable sildenafil citrate tablets for men – Compare Kamagra with branded alternatives
Safe access to generic ED medication KamaMeds Kamagra oral jelly USA availability
http://sildenapeak.com/# SildenaPeak
Tadalify: Tadalify – Tadalify
SildenaPeak viagra mexico SildenaPeak
Men’s sexual health solutions online: ED treatment without doctor visits – Kamagra oral jelly USA availability
how much is viagra in australia price of viagra per pill SildenaPeak
https://kamameds.com/# Compare Kamagra with branded alternatives
KamaMeds: Compare Kamagra with branded alternatives – Sildenafil oral jelly fast absorption effect
Tadalify cialis insurance coverage blue cross Tadalify
SildenaPeak: SildenaPeak – SildenaPeak
https://kamameds.com/# Kamagra oral jelly USA availability
brand viagra uk where to buy female viagra uk super viagra online
Compare Kamagra with branded alternatives: Online sources for Kamagra in the United States – Men’s sexual health solutions online
Non-prescription ED tablets discreetly shipped: Men’s sexual health solutions online – Compare Kamagra with branded alternatives
Tadalify Tadalify how many 5mg cialis can i take at once
SildenaPeak: SildenaPeak – SildenaPeak
https://tadalify.com/# Tadalify
SildenaPeak viagra soft sale SildenaPeak
cialis patent expiration 2016: Tadalify – best place to buy liquid tadalafil
Tadalify Tadalify cialis in las vegas
https://kamameds.shop/# Fast-acting ED solution with discreet packaging
propecia united-pharmacy compound pharmacy online MediDirect USA
https://mexicanpharmacyhub.shop/# Mexican Pharmacy Hub
buy neurontin in mexico: Mexican Pharmacy Hub – Mexican Pharmacy Hub
MediDirect USA cleocin online pharmacy best online pharmacy to buy accutane
Mexican Pharmacy Hub: safe place to buy semaglutide online mexico – Mexican Pharmacy Hub
MediDirect USA MediDirect USA MediDirect USA
https://medidirectusa.shop/# compare prescription prices
viagra pills from mexico: Mexican Pharmacy Hub – viagra pills from mexico
Indian Meds One п»їlegitimate online pharmacies india mail order pharmacy india
Indian Meds One: world pharmacy india – Indian Meds One
best mexican pharmacy online: Mexican Pharmacy Hub – Mexican Pharmacy Hub
MediDirect USA bupropion pharmacy prices MediDirect USA
https://mexicanpharmacyhub.com/# Mexican Pharmacy Hub
ativan no prescription online pharmacy texas online pharmacy MediDirect USA
http://mexicanpharmacyhub.com/# buying prescription drugs in mexico online
Mexican Pharmacy Hub rybelsus from mexican pharmacy Mexican Pharmacy Hub
http://indianmedsone.com/# Indian Meds One
pharmacy website india: Indian Meds One – mail order pharmacy india
buy propecia mexico buy meds from mexican pharmacy gabapentin mexican pharmacy
Slot jackpot terbesar Indonesia: Slot jackpot terbesar Indonesia – Mandiribet login
Withdraw cepat Beta138 Promo slot gacor hari ini Live casino Indonesia
https://swertewin.life/# Swerte99 casino walang deposit bonus para sa Pinoy
Swerte99 bonus: Swerte99 bonus – Swerte99 casino walang deposit bonus para sa Pinoy
Jackpot togel hari ini Abutogel Situs togel online terpercaya
Login Beta138: Live casino Indonesia – Login Beta138
Yeni az?rbaycan kazino sayt? Yuks?k RTP slotlar Pinco il? real pul qazan
https://swertewin.life/# Swerte99
Slot oyunlar? Pinco-da: Yeni az?rbaycan kazino sayt? – Kazino bonuslar? 2025 Az?rbaycan
Onlayn kazino Az?rbaycan Canl? krupyerl? oyunlar Kazino bonuslar? 2025 Az?rbaycan
Jiliko app: jilwin – Jiliko slots
Casino online GK88: Nha cai uy tin Vi?t Nam – Rut ti?n nhanh GK88
Judi online deposit pulsa: Situs judi online terpercaya Indonesia – Judi online deposit pulsa
Abutogel Situs togel online terpercaya Situs togel online terpercaya
Jiliko casino: Jiliko app – Jiliko app
Swerte99 casino walang deposit bonus para sa Pinoy Swerte99 login Swerte99
Onlayn kazino Az?rbaycan: Yuks?k RTP slotlar – Pinco r?smi sayt
jollibet login Jollibet online sabong Online casino Jollibet Philippines
https://jilwin.pro/# Jiliko
IverCare Pharmacy: IverCare Pharmacy – IverCare Pharmacy