Gertrude Torkornoo, the recently sworn-in Chief Justice, has pledged to use technology to increase the effectiveness of the judiciary.
Just 62% of courts presently use computers as part of their workflow, despite efforts made over the previous 20 years to automate court processes.
After being sworn in at the Jubilee House on Monday, Justice Torkornoo gave her inaugural speech, during which she emphasised the necessity of acquiring electronic devices for capturing court records and creating a networked infrastructure among registries and stakeholders to enable the next level of automation.
Just 62% of courts employ computers in their daily operations, despite the fact that the subject of automation has been addressed for two decades. The automation of judicial proceedings does not begin with computerization. The registry and the offices of stakeholders must be networked after purchasing electronic equipment to record court proceedings in order to enable the subsequent degree of automation.
“This is a national responsibility, and any slowdown in the country’s push towards digitization slows us down. Just 12 percent of courts have been pushed into the category of complete automation in operation by the digitization of their procedures, according to our records, and only 26 percent of courts are networked currently,” Justice Torkornoo remarked during her Swearing-in on Monday, June 12.
Justice Gertrude Torkornoo assumes the role of Chief Justice following the retirement of Justice Kwesi Anin Yeboah in May.
Her appointment was approved by Parliament on Wednesday, June 7.
President Akufo-Addo, who appointed Torkornoo as the country’s new Chief Justice, expressed confidence in her leadership abilities.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony, President Akufo-Addo highlighted Torkornoo’s qualifications and distinguished years of service in the judiciary, stating that she possesses the qualities necessary to inspire public confidence in the judicial system.
“The choice of Justice Gertrude Torkornoo as the 15th Chief Justice was not a particularly difficult one to make in view of her level of qualification, the number of years spent with distinction at the bench, and the superior court of judicature.”
Justice Gertrude Torkornoo is President Akufo-Addo’s third appointment to the Office of Chief Justice since assuming office in January 2017.
