Chief Justice: Judicial efficiency key to unlocking Ghana’s economic potential

The Chief Justice of Ghana, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has issued a bold call for the transformation of the country’s legal system, insisting that the Judiciary must become a central pillar of national economic strategy rather than a distant institution.

Delivering the keynote address at the Kwahu Business Forum on Saturday, 4th April 2026, the Chief Justice argued that judicial efficiency is not merely a legal requirement but a fundamental economic necessity for Ghana.

According to Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, for the country to attract and retain high-value investment, the courts must provide absolute certainty in the resolution of commercial disputes.

Trust as the primary driver of market stability

The Chief Justice challenged the assumption that funding and creativity alone guarantee business success. Instead, he identified “trust” — enforced by a reliable court system — as the primary driver of market stability.

“No matter how creative or well-funded a business may be, it cannot truly thrive without one fundamental ingredient: trust,” he stated.

He explained that trust in any economy rests on three quiet but powerful assurances: that contracts will be honoured, that property will be protected, and that disputes will be resolved fairly, predictably, and without endless delay.

These assurances, he noted, are the everyday expectations of everyone from small-scale entrepreneurs to multinational chief executives, and it is the Judiciary’s duty to ensure they are met without fail.

A strategic shift for the Judiciary

In a significant departure from traditional judicial detachment, the Chief Justice revealed that his administration has made a strategic choice to be an active participant in Ghana’s development.

“When I assumed office, I made a conscious decision that the judiciary should no longer be a distant institution sitting in the background of our national life,” Justice Baffoe-Bonnie explained.

“Instead, we have chosen to become an active partner in creating a genuinely business-friendly environment, one firmly anchored in the rule of law.”

The economic cost of delayed justice

Addressing the systemic bottlenecks that have historically slowed the wheels of justice, the Chief Justice was blunt about the financial toll of legal lethargy.

He warned that uncertainty in enforcement does more than frustrate lawyers — it actively repels the capital needed for national growth.

“We recognise that when justice is delayed, it’s not just a legal problem; it becomes an economic cost. When enforcement is uncertain, it does not merely frustrate parties; it discourages investment and holds back growth,” he said.

Courts as guardians of investment

Concluding his remarks, the Chief Justice reiterated his vision to ensure that the principles of the rule of law have a tangible impact on the business community. He urged the private sector to view the courts not as an obstacle but as reliable guardians of their investments.

“These are not just legal principles written in books. They are the everyday expectations of every investor, every entrepreneur, and every business owner, no matter how small. And these assurances are quite simply the daily work of the judiciary,” he concluded.