This milestone comes in the wake of a Judicial Service media campaign recently spearheaded by some Superior Court Justices including
                         Her Ladyship Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe and Her Ladyship Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, (from the Court of Appeal Bench), who engaged
                         the electronic media to educate the public on the evolving role of jurors in criminal trials.

                                  
                            Across section of Judges & Magistrates and other participants at the first criminal assizes session

                        Speaking at the event, Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, highlighted the historical bottlenecks in Ghana’s jury system particularly
                        the overreliance on a narrow pool of public service workers, which had led to “professional jurors” serving for years across multiple courts,
                        defeating the intendment of the Constitution to have ordinary citizens serve as jurors.

                        The Chief Justice indicated that the reforms, developed through months of consultations and stakeholder engagements have broadened the
                        jury pool to include eligible Ghanaians from both public and private sectors. She further indicated that the revised selection process ensures
                        greater fairness, transparency and legal compliance, in line with Article 19(2) (a) of the 1992 Constitution.

                   
                          
                          
                                        Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo delivering her speech

                       The Honourable Lady Chief Justice outlined some key innovations undertaken by her administration such as “a 24-hour online portal for staff training,
                       near-completion of practice directions on interest rates in debt recovery and the implementation of strict timelines and disclosure protocols to avoid
                       trial delays.
                       ” She further indicated that courts have been directed to conduct trials daily, from start to finish, while Judges are to enforce case completion planning
                       strategies rigorously.

                           
                              Justice Ruby Aryeetey (robed behind) with Court officials going through the jurors empanelling process

                      She also thanked stakeholders in the justice sector for their contributions. "Today’s success is shared, this journey would not have been possible without the
                      commitment of fellow judges, court staff, the Bar, police and prison officers and the media.”

                      The Judicial Service under Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo is beating a transformative path that strengthens the rule of law, reclaims public trust and
                      opens justice to every Ghanaian citizen.
                      

                        Criminal Assizes

                      Criminal assizes are special sessions of the High Court, opened each year to try indictable offences such as treason, murder, rape and robbery. Assizes are an
                      important element of the criminal justice system that provide an opportunity for persons accused of these grave crimes to receive a fair and speedy trial before
                      a judge and jury.