I support setting up regional tribunals; it will alleviate case backlogs — Justice Dzamefe

Supreme Court nominee, Justice Senyo Dzamefe, has declared support for the establishment of regional tribunals to ease the growing backlog of cases in Ghana’s judicial system.

Appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, June 16, Justice Dzamefe said the move would help reduce delays in the administration of justice, especially in handling criminal cases.

“I am always for the setting up of tribunals because we have too many cases pending, and the delays are too much. If we set up more courts, it will definitely help reduce the backlogs,” he said.

He added that tribunals would focus on criminal cases, allowing the mainstream courts to dedicate more time to civil matters.

“More criminal cases will go to the tribunals because they wouldn’t do civil. So it gives the mainstream courts more time for civil cases,” he noted.

Justice Dzamefe also dismissed concerns about the credibility of tribunal rulings, noting that the chairpersons are qualified at the level of High Court judges.

“We shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that the qualification of a tribunal chairman is the same as a High Court judge. It’s just that he is assisted by two laypersons. It’s merely a matter of nomenclature — the work done is virtually the same,” he explained.

Regional Tribunals, enshrined in Article 142 of the 1992 Constitution, are part of the superior court system.

They have jurisdiction over offenses against the state and matters of public interest as defined by Parliament, and are constitutionally chaired by persons qualified to serve as High Court judges. They also hear appeals on related matters.